The Philippine volleyball association has expressed the confidence for the female nationals to win their lost crown in the coming Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) starting late November, a local newspaper reported Wednesday.

Philippine Volleyball Federation Vice President Tony Liao told Manila Bulletin that the rise of volleyball's popularity in the past two years would have the positive effects although the national women's volleyball team doesn't enjoy the support its SEAG rival Thailand is getting from its government.

PVF treasurer Ricky Palou also said that they have been trying to develop volleyball to the national level, starting in Metro Manila.

"That's why we're also holding the pre-SEAG tournament to give our women's team an idea how to prepare for the SEAG," Palou said.

The V-League Invitational Tournament sponsored by the fast-food chains, Shakey's, will start from Oct. 7 to 9 in the capital. Apart from the host team, Myanmar, Indonesia and a club team from Thailand composed of at least seven national players will also take part in the competition.

"The pre-SEAG tournament gives our coaching staff a basis on how to improve on the team, what's their strength and weakness and hopefully, be able to remedy it when they travel to Japan for further training from Oct. 19 to Nov.1," Palou said.

The Philippine women's volleyball team has won the gold in the 1993 SEAG in Singapore and the silver medal in the 1995 edition in Chiang Mai, Thailand, but was dropped out of the medal round in the 1997 Jakarta SEAG.

In the 2001 and 2003 SEAG, the country's women's squad only bagged the third.

Source: Xinhua