Bryan Bagunas and Marck Espejo lead the final roster of the men’s national indoor volleyball team seeing action in the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
The Philippine Olympic Committee has submitted the lineup along with 39 other sports and disciplines to the Hangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee for the Asiad set to begin on 23 September.
The Nationals are making their return to the competition after 49 years.
Joining Bagunas, who plays for Win Streak in the Taiwan Top League, and Espejo, who is set to suit up for Incheon Koran Air Jumbos in the Korean V-League, are veterans Joshua Umandal, Kim Malabunga and setter Vince Mangulabnan.
Also included in the 12-man roster of head coach Sergio Veloso are Filipino-American Steve Rotter, Ryan Ka, Chumason Njigha, Lloyd Josafat, Manuel Sumanguid, JP Bugaoan and Adrian Villados.
The Nationals have seen action in the two legs of the Southeast Asian V.League as part of their build up for a historic Asiad return since the 1974 Iran Games where the Filipinos finished sixth.
Meanwhile, the core of the three-time Southeast Asian Games bronze medalist beach volleyball men’s squad will also make the trip to China.
Ranran Abdilla, James Buytrago, Jude Garcia and Jaron Requinton are back for a crack at Asiad glory joined by the women’s squad composed of Genesa Eslapor, Dij Rodriguez, Grydelle Matibag and Khylem Progella.
