Courtesy: PVL Images/ Joaqui Flores
After playing their first Asian Games together eight years ago, Jia De Guzman and Dawn Catindig return to Alas Pilipinas as battle-tested leaders.
The veterans heeded the country’s call anew as they belonged to the 12-player shortlist issued by the Philippine Olympic Committee as of September 4.
Both first represented the Philippines at the 2018 Jakarta Games. Two Asiad cycles later, De Guzman and Catindig were the only remaining players from the squad that finished in eighth place.
Backing them up in the 20th edition of the quadrennial spectacle in Aichi-Nagoya in Japan are explosive spikers Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon, Eya Laure, and Erika Santos as well as middle blockers Thea Gagate and Dell Palomata, setter Mars Alba, and libero Justine Jazareno.
La Salle standouts Angel Canino and Amie Provido were also listed as the only college players to make it to the national team.
A tall order awaits Alas Women as they face the continent’s best in Pool B: defending champion China, and Kazakhstan. China has been a dominant powerhouse, winning nine titles and reaching every single final since 1978.
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