4 Team Rebisco players yet to clear health protocols ahead of Asian Club tilt in Thailand

Team Rebisco could miss four of its players in the squad's opening game on Friday in the 2021 Asian Women's Club Volleyball Championship in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.

According to Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) president Ramon "Tats" Suzara, those players' swab samples were not cleared by local health authorities and will need to complete additional requirements.

The official did not name the players but said that two players Team Choco Mucho will be loaned to Rebisco in order to make up for the absence of the four players.

The players' transfer has been approved by the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC).

"The four players' swab samples weren't immediately cleared by local health authorities as the results were elevated to Bangkok where the main lab of Thai Department of Disease Control is based," said Suzara.

"You cannot have only eight players on a team which is bound to play so many number of matches. It's a sound decision to balance the team—besides, all of the athletes in Thailand are members of the national team."

Both Choco Mucho and Rebisco will make their debut on Friday. Choco Mucho will face home bet Nakhon Ratchasima QminC at 1:30 p.m. Meanwhile, Rebisco will open its bid against Altay VC of Kazakhstan at 7:30 p.m. (Manila time).

The winner of the tournament will have an automatic qualification to the FIVB Volleyball Women's Club World Championship in Turkey from December 15 to 19.

—Bea Micaller/MGP, GMA News