IN YET ANOTHER landmark moment for Cebu’s volleyball scene, Catmon-native and NCAA MVP Gretchel Soltones was officially named to the Philippine national volleyball team that will do battle for the country in the upcoming Southeast Asian Games in Singapore next month.
Soltones, who saw her stock rise while playing for the Pajo National High School Vipers before getting recruited by San Sebastian, will be joined on the team by a who’s-who of the country’s popular volleyball stars led by UAAP MVP Alyssa Valdez, Rachel Anne Daquis, Aby Marano and the lethal Santiago siblings, Jaja and Dindin Santiago-Manabat.
Also making the cut for the squad that will be mentored by Roger Gorayeb are Bea de Leon, Rhea Dimaculangan, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Denden Lazaro, Jia Morado and Maika Ortiz.
Larong Volleyball ng Pilipinas Inc. president Joey Romasanta, in an interview that was aired on the radio station DZSR 918, said that the final roster is a healthy mix of youngsters and veterans that can do well in the tournament./Correspondent Jonas Panerio