MANILA – Outside hitter Kalei Mau can now join the Philippine women's volleyball team as a local after the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) approved her transfer of eligibility.
The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) received a letter from FIVB regarding Mau's eligibility.
The FIVB has also notified USA Volleyball, Asian Volleyball Confederation, and the North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation of the development.
This means Mau, who played domestic volleyball for Cocolife and F2 in the Philippine Superliga, can now play for the Philippines after her anticipated national team debut two years ago was stalled.
The six-foot-two Fil-American spiker was listed in the Philippine lineup for the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Pasig but was barred due to her affiliation with USA Volleyball.
Mau is currently in Puerto Rico playing for Changas de Naranjito.
Meanwhile, the PNVF also announced that Jorge Souza De Brito has been granted a Philippine visa.
This means he can now travel to the Philippines to join the national team in training.
Souza De Brito will help Odjie Mamon in coaching the Philippine team.
“With Coach Jorge flying in soon and Mau already available to play for the country, we can now go on full throttle for the women’s national team training,” PNVF president Ramon Suzara said on Wednesday.
On the other hand, Creamline coach Tai Bundit has been cleared too to join the coaching staff after he secured an exemption from the temporary suspension of visa issuance.
The Philippine team is gearing up for the hosting of the Asian Seniors Women's Volleyball Championship this August and the 2021 SEA Games in Hanoi this November. (PNA)
