“We believe that these players are the finest among the hundreds who participated in the tryouts we conducted from February until last week,” said Philippine Volleyball Federation secretary-general Vangie de Jesus, who also heads the Philippine Volleyball National Team Task Force.

Joining Tabaquero and Valdez from the UAAP are De La Salle University’s Liss Gohing; Wenneth Eulalio, Rem Palma, Rose Vargas, Gyzelle Sy and Wendy Semana of Far Eastern University.

Also making the cut are University of Santo Tomas’ Maika Ortiz, Judy Caballejo and Rubie de Leon; Dindin Santiago and Ivy Perez of National University and Janet Serafica Adamson University.

From the NCAA are Jheck Dionela, Sandra delos Santos, Royse Tubino and Arriane Argarin from University of Perpetual Help System Dalta, San Sebastian College’s Margarita Pepito, Joy Benito and Gretchel Soltones.

Melissa Ogana, Mikaela Lopez and Joy Cases made it from Colegio de San Juan de Letran even as Nica Guliman of Lyceum of the Philippines University earned a spot, too.

University of San Jose’s Abigail Praca, Southwestern University’s Rapril Aguilar, and Danika Gendrauli and De La Salle University – Dasmarinas’ Iari Yongco also made the cut.

Heavily-recruited high school spikers Angelica Macabalitao (Prenza National High School), Michelle Morente (Philippine Women’s University – JASMS) and Jaja Santiago (NU) complete the crew.

The team will first compete in the 3rd POC-PSC Philippine National Games on May 25 to June 1 in Metro Manila with a goal of emerging champion to earn the right to don the national colors for future local and international competitions.

“It is the right time to rebuild the national volleyball ranks,” said De Jesus. “We are aware that more Filipinos are interested in the sport these days and we must sustain that momentum.”

The Philippine Sports Commission sees this development as a validation of its mandate to promote active participation in all sports by Filipinos.