Line-Up for Philippine Women's U-23 Team

In an interview with philstar.com, RP Women's U-23 team head coach, Roger Gorayeb revealed the line-up that will be donning the national colors in the upcoming AVC U-23 Volleyball Championship tournament.

Ateneo spiker and 2-time UAAP Season MVP Alyssa Valdez will lead the team. Here's the rest of the line-up.

Alyssa Valdez - wing spiker (ADMU)
Jaja Santiago - middle (NU)
Bea de Leon - middle (ADMU)
Jia Morado - setter (ADMU)
Alyssa Eroa - libero (SSC)
Gretchel Soltones - wing spiker (SSC)
EJ Laure - wing spiker (UST)
Marivic Meneses - middle (UST)
Jhoanna Maraguinot - wing spiker (ADMU)
Myla Pablo - wing spiker (NU)
Rissa Sato - middle (ADMU)
Kim Fajardo - setter (DLSU)

Though Kim Fajardo still hasn't showed up in practices, Gorayeb is still hoping that the green setter will join the practices this weekend.

The addition of the upcoming ateneo rookie, Risa Sato, is also a surprise. Risa Sato is a Fil-Jap recruit of Ateneo that is set to be lined-up in the next season of UAAP. According to reports, Sato just recently received her Philippine Passport that made her eligible for the U-23 team.

Sadly, UAAP stars Aby Marano and Dindin Santiago, who were rumored to be part of the line-up weeks ago, are not already part of the final line-up. Marano is already above the age limit that was set by the tournament, while Santiago refused to join the team due to some commitment issues.

Philippines will host the AVC U-23 Volleyball Championship tournament on May 1-9, 2015. The Philippines is bracketed in Pool A along with Iran and Kazakhstan. TV 5 will cover the event.