Jema Galanza was surprised, but nonetheless thankful she has been invited to the training pool of the Philippine national volleyball team.
"I didn't expect to be invited, but I'm happy because it's always special to play for the Philippines," exclaimed 5-foot-7 open spiker Galanza.
Galanza, opposite hitter Kat Tolentino, and setter Deanna Wong were added to the training pool bannered by PVL champion, Finals MVP, and Conference MVP Jaja Santiago, as confirmed by Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) national team commission head Tonyboy Liao.
Also on the list are Aby Maraño, Dawn Macandili, Majoy Baron, Kim Kianna Dy, and Tin Tiamzon (F2 Logistics); Dindin Santiago-Manabat and Mylene Paat (Chery Tiggo); MJ Philips and Dell Palomata (Sta. Lucia); Ria Meneses (Petro Gazz); and Rhea Dimaculangan (PLDT Home Fibr), as well as Iris Tolenada and Kalei Mau, who had just been cleared to finally don the tricolors.
UAAP stars Eya Laure, Imee Hernandez, and Bernadette Pepito of UST; Jen Nierva, Ivy Lacsina, Michaela Belen, and Kamille Cal of National U; and Faith Nisperos of Ateneo complete the pool that will see action in the 2021 Asian Women's Club Volleyball Championship in Thailand from October 1-7.
Last Friday, PNVF President Ramon "Tats" Suzara bared two teams of 12 players each will be sent to Nakhon Ratchasima, ensuring veterans and youngsters alike will get "excellent exposure" in the regional meet. A three-week training camp will commence on September 1 at the University of the Assumption Gym in San Fernando, Pampanga before the national team flies to Thailand on September 27.
Head coach Odjie Mamon and Brazilian consultant Jorge Edson Souza de Brito will continue to oversee the preparations that will now include three players who were key in their respective team's playoff runs in the recently concluded 2021 PVL Open Conference.
This will be the international debuts of both Tolentino and Wong who helped carry Choco Mucho to the Final Four, while this will be a return to wearing the flag for Galanza who was right in the middle of Creamline's runner-up finish.
"It just feels good to be able to play again, especially right now there's a lot of new faces in the national team. I'm excited to play with them and learn from them," remarked Galanza. "I know what I'm capable of and I will do my best to help the Philippine team win."
Meanwhile, the status of Santiago and Mau for the AVC remains up in the air due to the pair's commitments with Ageo Medics in the Japan V.League and Changas de Naranjito in the Puerto Rican league, respectively.