De Guzman leads SEA Games squad

Jia Morado-de Guzman is set to display her veteran versatility anew as she banners a 20-woman Alas Pilipinas team that will shoot for the gold medal in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok this December.

De Guzman, the Creamline setter who will be making her fourth SEA Games appearance, will be leading a star-studded squad composed of players from the University Athletic Association of the Philippines and the Premier Volleyball League.

Joining De Guzman at the setter position are Julia Coronel of Galeries Tower, and Mars Alba of Akari while the liberos will be Dawn Macandili-Catindig of Cignal, Jen Nierva of Chery Tiggo and Justine Jazareno of Akari.

Opposites are Leila Cruz of Capital1, Alyssa Solomon of Japanese club Osaka Marvelous and Kat Tolentino of Choco Mucho while the outside hitters are top amateur Shaina Nitura of Adamson University, Eya Laure of Chery Tiggo, Vanessa Gandler of Cignal, Angel Canino of De La Salle University, Bella Belen of Capital 1 and Alleiah Malaluan of PLDT.

Manning the middle will be Dell Palomata of PLDT, Amie Provido of La Salle, Maddie Madayag of Choco Mucho, Thea Gagate of Zus Coffee and Fifi Sharma of Akari.

The team, which is looking to dethrone Thailand’s stronghold of the SEA Games crown, will hold its training camp from 15 to 30 November either in Japan or Taiwan.

The indoor volleyball competitions are set from 10 to 19 December at the Huamark Indoor Stadium in Bangkok.

The Philippines has won the SEA Games women’s volleyball gold medal six times — the last in 1993 in Singapore — while Thailand is the region’s powerhouse with 16 golds.