Nisperos, Pontillas, Cheng, set to lead PHL women’s volleyball squad in AVC Cup

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

A mix of young guns and seasoned veterans will be tasked to represent the Philippines in the upcoming AVC Women’s Challenge Cup to be held in Indonesia from June 18-25, 2023.

The national team will be led by newly-turned-pro outside hitter Faith Nisperos, reliable veteran leader Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, and Petro Gazz Angels’ steady setter Djanel Cheng.

This year’s newly formed squad will look to surpass the sixth-place finish recorded by the current Premier Volleyball League (PVL) queens Creamline Cool Smashers that represented team PHL during the 2022 edition of the AVC Cup.

Backstopping the star-studded trio are several members of the Akari Chargers, namely: Michelle Cobb, Bang Pineda, Ezra Madrigal, Eli Soyud, and Erika Raagas.

Aside from the professional players’ presence on the international stage, the coaching staff also decided to pick a few from the UAAP.

Nisperos’ teammates at the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eagles, libero Roma Mae Doromal and middle blocker AC Miner, will also join the national team in Indonesia.

Completing the collegiate lineup added to the squad are Riza Nogales and Lia Pelaga, both standouts of the University of the East (UE).

PLDT’s Jules Samonte and Shaya Adorador of Cherry Tiggo were also included in the team and will be mentored by Brazilian legend head coach Jorge Edson Souza de Brito.

The PHL will be kicking off its AVC campaign against Macau on June 19 followed by a highly-anticipated showdown against Indonesia the following day.