Following his recent appointment as team manager of the Philippines U-17 girls volleyball team, Bacolodnon Jose Montalbo is set to lead the team in the 14th Asian Women’s U-17 Volleyball Championships this June in Thailand.

The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) formalized Montalbo’s appointment in a letter signed by federation president Ramon Suzara.

“We write to inform that you have been chosen by the Board, and hereby appointed as the team manager of U-17 Volleyball National Team,” Suzara told Montalbo.

“Your indelible contribution to the Philippine volleyball has make you the perfect candidate for this task,” he added. “We trust that your love for the sport would make this a perfect opportunity to join us in our goal to bring our beloved volleyball to greater heights here and overseas.”

Montalbo, known for his success as team manager for the Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts, has represented Western Visayas several times in Palarong Pambansa, National PRISAA and other tournaments.

Bacolod Tay Tung has also produced a number of Negrense volleybelles who were recruited to play for various collegiate teams in Metro Manila.

Meanwhile, Western Visayas-based players will banner the national U-17 girls volleyball team, with members coming from the 14-player pool selected from Bacolod City and Iloilo City.

Due to proximity and familiarity, the team selected players who were closer to them, especially with the presence of COVID-19.

“One of the positive things about this is most of them were already familiar with each other so adjustments and jelling will not be that much of a problem,” he added.

Bannering the team were Bacolod Tay Tung High School sentinels Kimberly Rubin, Dona Mae De Leon, Lana Madrigal, Jothea Ramos, Joenil Ramos, Caitlin Espinosa, Rhose Viane Almendralejo, Kc Delos Reyes, Rose Bulak, and Ana Francesca Hermosura.

Celine Marsh of Trinity Christian School, Rain Navarro of St. John’s Institute-Bacolod, Camila Bartolome of Huasiong College of Iloilo, and Mary Karylle Suplico of La Paz National High School will also reinforce the squad.

Montalbo said they already started their preparation over the weekend at a facility in Bacolod City.IMT Sports