Leading the pack is newly crowned Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Conference Most Valuable Player Kalei Mau, along with veterans Aby Marano, Alyssa Valdez, Frances Molina, Majoy Baron, Jia Morado, Mylene Paat, Jovelyn Gonzaga and Dawn Macandili.

A slew of youthful talent and experience will represent the country in the first-ever Southeast Asian Women’s Volleyball Grand Prix in Nakhon Ratchasima in Thailand this month.

Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas, Inc. president Joey Romasanta announced the final roster of the team that will train in Bangkok before flying to Nakhon Ratchasima to compete in the inaugural home-and-away women’s volleyball tournament.

Leading the pack is newly crowned Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Conference Most Valuable Player Kalei Mau, along with veterans Aby Marano, Alyssa Valdez, Frances Molina, Majoy Baron, Jia Morado, Mylene Paat, Jovelyn Gonzaga and Dawn Macandili.

Also joining them are rising stars Eya Laure, Alohi Robins-Hardy, Maddie Madayag, Roselyn Doria and Kathleen Arado, while Shaq Delos Santos remains as the head coach with Kungfu Reyes and Brian Esquibel as deputies.

The team is set to leave for Bangkok on Saturday for a two-week training before flying to Nakhon Ratchasima on 18 September in preparation for the tournament that runs from 20 to 22 September.

“Despite losing some key players, we still managed to assemble a fighting team,” said Romasanta. “This tournament is important as it serves as our test event for the Southeast Asian Games. We will clash Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia to gauge where we are right now in terms of preparation.”

Jaja Santiago, Dindin Manabat, Denden Lazaro, Kim Fajardo and Mika Reyes are some of the players who begged off from joining the trip, as Santiago already flew to Japan to fulfill her commitment with Ageo Medics in the prestigious V.Premier League while her older sister is set to follow suit after reportedly getting a call from her agent.

Lazaro also begged off in preparation for her wedding while Fajardo and Reyes are still nursing knee injuries.

After Thailand, the battle will shift to Sta. Rosa, Laguna on 4 to 6 October, giving Filipino volleyball fans a ringside view on the country’s SEA Games opponents.

“I hope Kim and Mika can join us when he have our hosting in October,” said Romasanta. “At this point, we need everybody to get on board to help the coaching staff decide on our final SEA Games roster.”