It's only a few days left before the 32nd edition of the Southeast Asian Games kicks off in Cambodia. The Philippine women's national volleyball team wrapped up its training camp in Japan, and team captain Alyssa Valdez has just been named the Philippine delegation's flag bearer.
While the 14-woman squad has already been listed for the competition, it's still up in the air who the starting seven will be in the opening round against host Cambodia.
Here's some wishful thinking from this fan.
Setter: Jia De Guzman
There's no argument here. Jia De Guzman is the best setter the country has at the moment. The 2023 PVL All-Filipino Conference Finals MVP has proven time and again that she has the brains and skills to outwit anyone on the court. And with a Creamline Cool Smashers-dominated lineup, De Guzman has plenty of firepower to play with.
Just look at what the team has done in the 2022 AVC Cup for Women, where they got sixth place, the Philippines' best finish at the tournament.
De Guzman even earned praise from Thai captain and star setter Pornpun Guedpard, noting the Filipina's improvement from the 2019 SEA Games.
Imagine what this version of Jia can do with Mylene Paat, Kat Tolentino, and Dell Palomata in her arsenal.
Outside Spikers: Tots Carlos and Jema Galanza
These two have been incredible and reliable attackers as part of Creamline. And the 2023 PVL All-Filipino Conference Best Outside Spikers duo have proved they can do just the same under the Philippine flag during the 2022 AVC Cup for Women. Just see how Galanza took on the best of Asia in this highlight reel.
And Tots Carlos has blossomed as an outside spiker, which was her collegiate position for the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons. It's only natural that the Philippines field a three-time MVP in the starting seven.
Opposite Spiker: Michele Gumabao
Before bringing those pitchforks, hear this fan out. Michele Gumabao is the 2023 PVL All-Filipino Conference Best Opposite Spiker and the top spiker of the preliminaries.
She was also one of the more consistent players for the Philippines in the 2022 AVC Cup for Women, registering double-digit scores against Vietnam, China, Iran, and Thailand.
This is not a knock on Chery Tiggo Crossovers' Mylene Paat, the 2022 PVL Reinforced Conference MVP and the 2021-22 Thailand League top scorer and bronze medalist for Nakhon Ratchasima.
But it would be quite a treat to overwhelm the Cambodian opponents with firepower from MG, before mixing it up with the wiles and sheer relentlessness of SEA Games veteran Mama P.
That's an entirely new bonus dynamic that the Philippine squad has, given the Adamson University Lady Falcons bonding between Paat, Galanza, and libero Bang Pineda.
The Philippines is actually pretty loaded in this position. Coach Jorge Edson Souza de Brito can also plug in the mix Choco Mucho Flying Titans' Kat Tolentino, who also played in Hanoi, when things get tough.
Middle Blockers: Dell Palomata and Ced Domingo
PLDT High Speed Hitters' Dell Palomata has been in the SEA Games before. Her height and experience will prove valuable against taller opponents in the region. And she's not a 2022 PVL Invitational Conference Best Middle Blocker for nothing.
She will be a welcome partner for Creamline's Ced Domingo, who is embracing a starring role for the Cool Smashers after she won the Finals MVP plum in the 2022 PVL Invitational Conference. She also dropped 15 in the Philippines' five-set victory against Australia in the 2022 AVC Cup for Women.
Libero: Bang Pineda
Akari Chargers' Bang Pineda has stepped up to the plate after All-Filipino Conference Best Libero Kath Arado bowed out due to an injury. And it only makes sense for De Brito to tap someone he's familiar with. Plus, Pineda already knows how Paat and Galanza play given their time together in UAAP Season 76.
Where's Alyssa Valdez?
Please put down those pitchforks again.
While Valdez has participated in the Japan training camp and is expected to walk as the country's flag bearer in the SEA Games, it's still a question for fans whether she has healed well enough from her knee injury to compete.
"According to doc [Raul] Canlas, kayang umabot talaga [sa SEA Games]," Valdez told one reporter in a chance interview at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last month.
If she can suit up, well and good. But there is absolutely no pressure to field her in as part of the starting seven. In fact, Valdez has proved to be just as impactful on the sidelines, delivering key observations and corrections to teammates during timeouts.
This is also by no means a knock on Cignal HD Spikers' Gel Cayuna and Glaudine Troncoso, Creamline's Kyle Negrito, as well as Choco Mucho's Cherry Rose Nunag, who have proven they have what it takes on the court as well as the courage to answer the call of duty.
They will get their chance to shine and play for the country as the Philippines will take on host Cambodia on May 9, 7:30 p.m.
The Filipinas will then battle 2021 silver medalists Vietnam the next day, May 10, at 5 p.m., before ending their Pool B competition against Singapore on May 11 at 5 p.m.
The Philippines will aim to end their three consecutive fourth place finishes at the SEA Games and break into the podium, a feat they have not achieved since the 2005 tournament in Bacolod.