By Jean Malanum

NATIONAL DUTY. Adamson University’s Shaina Nitura is in the national team roster for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in September. She was named UAAP Season 88 Most Valuable Player, the first from Adamson, and Best Outside Spiker. (UAAP photo)

MANILA – The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) has named the members of the men’s and women’s volleyball pools for the 20th Asian Games on Sept. 19 to Oct. 4 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.

The pools are composed mostly of the players who saw action in the FIVB Men’s World Championship held in the country in September 2025 and the Bangkok Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) in Bangkok, Thailand in December 2025.

In the women’s pool are Jia De Guzman, Justine Yliyzeth Jazareno, Jennifer Nierva, Dawn Nicole Catindig, Mhicaela Belen, Eya Laure, Angel Anne Canino, Thea Gagate, Fifi Sharma, Vanessa Gandler, Alleiah Jan Malaluan, Amie Provido, Nina Ytang, Janette Panaga, Erika Santos, Arah Panique, Marionne Angelique Alba, Maria Angelica Cayuna, Shaira Jardio, Dell Palomata, Shaina Marie Nitura and Alyssa Jae Solomon.

The men’s squad is composed of Bryan Bagunas, Marck Jesus Espejo, Lloyd Josafat, Jude Garcia, Michaelo Buddin, Leo Ordiales, Al Bukharie Sali, Rwenzmel Taguibolos, Ave Joshua Retamar, Josh Ybañez, Adrian Villados, Vince Patrick Lorenzo, Kristofer Rodge Alejos and Trevor Torio.

POC secretary-general Wharton Chan has sent out letters informing the reappointment of Italian Angiolino Frigoni and Japanese Takayuki Minowa as head coaches of the men’s and women’s teams, respectively.

The appointment takes effect on July 1 and expires Oct. 15.

The POC has also sought the full support of the Premier Volleyball League, through its president Ricky Palou and commissioner Sherwin Malonzo, for the Alas women, most of whom are playing for the league.

The POC, tasked to manage the country’s national volleyball team program while the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF)  is suspended by the FIVB, will also supervise and manage the national teams in all sports for the Olympics, Asian Games and SEAG.

On May 29, the FIVB suspended the PNVF over serious governance concerns and alleged violations of its Code of Ethics. The POC and the Philippine Sports Commission have also suspended the federation.

The deadline of submission of entry by names to the Aichi-Nagoya Organizing Committee is on July 1. (PNA)