THE COUNTRY makes its return to the international stage but under a new federation as the Philippines battles Iran at the start of the 1st Rebisco Asian Women’s U-23 Volleyball Championship today at the Philsports Arena.
The Nationals will face an obscure Iranian side at 4:15 p.m. following the tangle between India and Macau at 12 noon and Uzbekistan and Thailand at 2 pm. East Asian powerhouse Japan will battle Maldives in the 7 p.m. nightcap.
Composed of the country’s brightest collegiate stars, which include Cebuana Gretchel Soltones, the Philippines is expected to steal the thunder from other favored delegates due to their deadly combination of speed and firepower.
Soltones, the Catmon, Cebu-native, rose to prominence owing to her stellar performance for San Sebastian, which led the NCAA to name her its MVP.
There’s also UAAP MVP Alyssa Valdez, who carried Ateneo de Manila to a memorable title run in the previous UAAP season. She is expected to serve as the pillar in the attack zone along with Myla Pablo and Jaja Santiago of National University.
It will be the first time for the Philippines to march to an international tournament following the formation of a new volleyball federation, Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas, Inc.