Politics and sports have always been a bad combination
Newly-named National Team head coach Francis Vicente is looking to cut out some of the politics that has plagued the local volleyball scene.
The experienced mentor made it clear that all players will have a fair shot at trying out to make the team for the upcoming AVC Women’s Seniors tournament and the Southeast Asian Games.
“As much as possible, we want to find the best players for the team from all over the Philippines. Hindi naman porke’t nasa Manila ka o naglaro ka sa UAAP or whatever, sure ka na sa team,” Vicente said.
“We want everyone to go through the process not only to see their commitment but also para mas better namin ma-assess sila.”
Vicente then made it known that not even the celebrated Alyssa Valdez has a sure spot on the team. He revealed that his former ward with the University of Santo Tomas Junior Tigresses will need to go through a tryout for a spot on the team despite playing in the Women’s Volleyball Thailand League.
The three-time UAAP MVP is set to make her debut for 3BB Nakornnont on January 29 — the second day of the three-day Manila tryouts. 
Even with a tight schedule, the multi-time PVL MVP has already committed to trying out next month in the Visayas leg, according to LVPI officials, while Valdez herself has expressed the willingness to fly to the Philippines in the middle of her Thailand stint for the tryouts.
“Alam natin na Alyssa Valdez angat, sikat. Galing na sa akin ‘yan. Ayoko naman ‘yung kukunin ko na ‘wag ka na mag-try out,” Vicente clarified
“Unfair sa iba. Kila Grethcel Soltones, Myla Pablo, ayoko mabansagan na may kinikilingan ako.”
No exact date has been set for next month’s tryouts.
The current University of the East Lady Warriors mentor also has his eyes set on a training camp outside the country to bolster the squad’s preparations.
“Kung may budget pa we can go to Japan magaganda practice doon. Thailand center ng volleyball marami ding makakalaban. Sa China maganda ‘rin yung magiging resulta,” he added.
And with this plan, proper execution is now the key for Vicente’s vision for Philippine volleyball.
