PNVF president Ramon “Tats” Suzara disclosed on Friday that there will be two squads obtained from the 22-member pool to compete in the Asian Women’s Club Volleyball Championship and one in the Asian Men’s Club Volleyball Championship.

Suzara said head coach Odjie Mamon and Brazilian consultant Jorge Edson Souza de Brito will add two more players to form the two 12-women teams for the continental tourney.

“This will be an excellent exposure for our new young players who will be playing alongside the veterans,” Suzara said.

The women’s pool currently consists of Jaja Santiago, Majoy Baron, Rhea Dimaculangan, Kim Dy, Imee Hernandez, Dawn Macandili, Dindin Santiago-Manabat, Aby Maraño, Kalei Mau, Ria Meneses, Ivy Lacsina, Eya Laure, Jennifer Nierva, Faith Nisperos, Mylene Paat, Dell Palomata, Bernadette Pepito, MJ Phillips, Tin Tiamzon, Iris Tolenada, Mhicaela Belen, and Kamille Cal.

The women’s teams will fly to Thailand on September 27 ahead of the tournament that is slated on October 1 to 7. 

However, Jaja Santiago’s participation is up in the air as she has prior commitments to Ageo Medics in the Japan V. League. 

The two Philippine women’s teams will compete against Thailand and Kazakhstan, who will also field two squads each, as well as Iran, who only has one.

Meanwhile, the men’s team will also compete in the 2021 Asian Men’s Club Volleyball Championship that will run from October 8 to 15, also in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand. 

The men’s squad will be picked from the pool composed of Kim Malabunga, Rex Intal, Francis Saura, Manuel Sumanguid, Josh Retamar, Marck Espejo, John Vic de Guzman, Mark Alfafara, and Ricky Marcos, Jao Umandal, Ysay Marasigan, JP Bugaoan, Jessie Lopez, Kim Dayadante, Joeven dela Vega, Jack Kalingking, Bryan Bagunas, Ish Polvorosa, Nico Almendras and Lloyd Josafat. 

However, Coach Dante Alinsunurin bared Marck Espejo and Bryan Bagunas will not be available due to their responsibilities in their respective Japan V. League squads.

The men’s national team, who will fly to Thailand on Oct. 4, is slated to play against Qatar, Iraq, Sri Lanka, Kuwait, Uzbekistan, and two squads from Thailand.

Both teams will train at the University of the Assumption Gym in San Fernando, Pampanga, with both the men’s and women’s squads starting their preparations on Sept. 1.