Choco Mucho Flying Titans setter Mars Alba answers the call for the Philippine women’s national volleyball team.
Mars Alba lends a helping hand to Julia Coronel in the absence of Jia de Guzman. | Photo (c) PVL
Veteran setter Jia de Guzman returned to Japan to play for the Denso Airybees, leaving libero Dawn Macandili-Catindig as captain.
This left young Julia Coronel from the De La Salle Lady Spikers as playmaker. But on Saturday morning, the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) added Alba to the roster against the SAGA Hisamitsu Springs.
This could prove valuable in the short-term, sine Alba is already familiar with the styles of fellow Flying Titans in Alas such as Sisi Rondina and Cherry Nunag.
Also notably off the roster is Creamline Cool Smashers’ Jema Galanza.
For the men’s team, Joshua Retamar and Jau Umandal are off the list. Marck Espejo is still out to play with the Kubota Spears Osaka in Japan.
Bryan Bagunas, who was injured in the SEA V.League is also not in the list.
However, SEA V.League Best Outside Hitter Michaelo Buddin is still in the roster, along with Best Middle Blocker Kim Malabunga.
Alas Pilipinas Women will first face SAGA Hisamitsu Springs this Saturday at 3 p.m., while the Alas Pilipinas Men take on Yuji Nishida and the Osaka Bluteon at 6 p.m.
The rematch will take place the next day, still at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
