Manila -- The Philippine women’s volleyball team’s chances of a podium finish in the 30th Southeast Asian Games remain high even with the possible loss of its key player Fil-Am Kalei Mau.

Larong Volleyball ng Pilipinas Inc. (LVPI) President Joey Romasanta and LVPI training director Peter Cayco both agree that the National Women’s team have enough talents to win a medal in the 30th biennial games.

The team is composed of Alyssa Valdez, Julia Morado, Mika Reyes, Iris Tolenada, Eya Laure, Abigail Maraño, Mary Joy Baron, Maddie Madayag, Roselyn Doria, France’s Molina, Aiza Pontillas, Mylene Paat, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Dawn Macandili and Kathleen Arado.

Jaja Santiago and Dindin Santiago-Manabat, who are playing as imports in a Japanese League, also begged off from the team after failing to secure permissions from their foreign ballclubs.

Fil -Am Alohi Robinson-Hardy was also dropped from the list as her Philippine passport is still under process.

Cayco said the Philippine women’s volleyball team’s two-week intensive training in Japan last month has tremendously improved the gelling and bonding of the players and this was very prominent during their practices and scrimmages with Japanese ball clubs there.

The Philippine Sports Commission funded the Japan training of the women’s team last month and has also approved the two-week training of the men’s volleyball team in Japan this month. (PR)