VINCE Mangulabnan heads the Philippine men’s national volleyball team for the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in May.
The Philippine National Volleyball Federation announced on Sunday that the AMC-Cotabato setter will serve as the team’s captain under new head coach Brazilian Sergio Veloso.
UPDATE: The Cambodia SEAG Organizing Committee says it will re-draw the men’s volleyball tournament after the Philippines’ non-inclusion in its draw on Wednesday.
LOOK: The Cambodia SEAG Organizing Committee says it will re-draw the men’s volleyball tournament after the Philippines’ non-inclusion in its draw on Wednesday.
— ℙ𝕙𝕚𝕝𝕚𝕡 𝕄𝕒𝕣𝕥𝕚𝕟 𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕖𝕝 (@philipptionary) April 6, 2023
It comes with a caveat — only if 5 nations agree to the participation of the Philippines. | @RapplerSports pic.twitter.com/b3Ph1Oa0SB
With Mangulabnan in the Philippine team are his AMC-Cotabato teammates Lloyd Josafat, Kim Harold Dayandante, Vince Lorenzo, Jayvee Sumagaysay and reigning Spikers’ Turf MVP Jau Umandal.
Also in the squad are National University-Archipelago Builders’ Rwenzmel Taguibolos and Leo Ordiales, Cignal’s, Manuel Sumanguid III, Iloilo’s Jade Alex Disquitado and University of Sto. Tomas’ Jay Rack Dela Noche.
Newest recruits Filipino-Americans Steven Charles Rotter, Cyrus Justin De Guzman and Michael Raymund Vicente are set to bolster the team as it aims to land another podium spot in the biennial meet.
Veteran spikers and former national team mainstays Mark Espejo and Bryan Bagunas, who were part of the men’s team that clinched the historic silver in the 2019 Manila SEA Games, begged off from national team duties.
The men’s team are coming off a fifth place finish in the Hanoi SEA Games in 2022.
Volleyball competitions in Cambodia begin two days ahead of the opening ceremony on May 3 at the Morodok Techo Elephant Hall.