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Volleyball: PH men's team retains core for Vietnam SEA Games

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ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="x" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/sports/09/15/bryan-bagunas-(1)-and-marck-espejo-(15).jpg"/></figure></div> MANILA, Philippines -- Continuity is the name of the game for the Philippine men&#x27;s volleyball team as they seek to improve upon their second place finish in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.The core of the team that won a historic silver medal in the 30th SEA Games was called up anew by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF), including Japan-based stars Marck Espejo and Bryan Bagunas.But the PNVF also added some young stars to the group, including Joshua Umandal and libero Manuel Sumanguid III, who both impressed in the national team&#x27;s stint in the 2021 Asian Men&#x27;s Club Volleyball Championship last October.Of the 20 men in the pool, 14 will be selected to the final team that will compete in the 31st SEA Games in Hanoi, Vietnam on May 12-25.The full pool is as follows:Volleyball (Men—20 athletes and 4 coaching staff)Athletes: 1. Kim Malabunga 2. Ysrael Wilson Marasigan 3. Rex Emmanuel Intal 4. John Paul Bugaoan 5. Francis Phillip Saura 6. Jessie Lopez 7. Manuel Sumanguid III 8. Kim Harold Dayandante 9. Ave Joshua Retamar 10. Joeven Dela Vega 11. Marck Jesus Espejo 12. Jack Kalingking 13. John Vic De Guzman 14. Bryan Bagunas 15. Mark Gil Alfafara 16. Angelo Nicolas Almendras 17. Ricky Marcos 18. Lloyd Josafat 19. Joshua Umandal 20. Esmilzo Joner PolvorosaHead Coach: Dante Alinsunurin, Jr. Assistant Coach: Ariel Dela Cruz Assistant Coach: Sherwin Meneses Trainer: Jeffrey Malabanan