Veteran stars Alyssa Valdez and Aby Maraño banner the Philippine women’s volleyball team that will see action in the 30th Southeast Asian Games next month, the Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas Inc. announced on Wednesday.
It would be Valdez’s third consecutive stint in the biennial meet with the Nationals out to improve on their fourth-place finish in the 2017 Kuala Lumpur edition.
The PH team also seeks to end their 14-year medal drought.
Joining Valdez and Maraño are returning setter Rhea Dimaculangan, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Jia Morado, Mika Reyes, Majoy Baron, Maddie Madayag, Ces Molina, Eya Laure, Mylene Paat, Fil-American Kalei Mau, Dawn Macandili and Kath Arado.
The Nationals last played in the second leg of the ASEAN Grand Prix in Sta. Rosa, Laguna where they finished third behind Thailand and Indonesia.
In that leg, Baron won the Best Middle Blocker plum, while Macandili nabbed the Best Setter Award.
Guiding the Nationals is Shaq Delos Santos.
The PH team settled for a bronze during the 2005 Manila edition. (Kristel Satumbaga)
