In the midst of the collegiate season, the country’s top UAAP/NCAA stars might not take part with the National Team tryouts
The Larong Volleyball ng Pilipinas Inc. and head coach Francis Vicente are determined to bring the Women’s National Team back to prominence.
But, with the tryouts slated on January 28, 29, and 31, several key players — namely current UAAP and NCAA players — are going to miss the chance to vie for a spot on the squad.
Speaking with several players, Tiebreaker Times surmised that most players aren’t willing to risk their health for the on-going NCAA season and upcoming UAAP tourney.
Requesting anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, a player on a UAAP team looking to make another Final Four run explained most players’ conundrum.
“Kami, nagsimula magtraining parang ilang buwan pa lang matapos ‘yung UAAP. Sobrang tagal na namin pinaghihirapan ‘yung season. Ako, alam kong kailangan ako ng team and ‘yun din ‘yung sinasabi sa akin ng coaches and teammates ko,” said a scorer playing in her final year of eligibility.
“Sa totoo lang ‘din kasi, dream ko ‘din maglaro para sa bansa – ‘yun naman ata ‘yung goal ng lahat ng players. Kaya kita mo, lose-lose talaga for us players. Kapag ‘di kami nagtryout, selfish ang dating namin sa fans and everyone na gusto makita ‘yung pagbalik ng Philippines. Pag nag-tryout kami then na-injure, paano na ‘yung pinaghirapan namin ng teammates ko sa college? Next year nanaman kami?”
“Ilang taon ka lang makakalaro sa college. So ako handa talaga kung ano pang sabihin nang mga tao. Kahit ano naman maging desisyon ko at noong ibang players, may madi-disappoint. I just can’t choose anything else over my commitment sa team and my coaches right now,” the volleybelle furthered.
Several players echo this sentiment. Some go as far as questioning why tryouts were held at such a crucial time for the college players.
“Siguro kung before ng season namin or kung noong mahabang break noong December, mas madali para sa akin makapunta,” said an NCAA player whose team is still campaigning for a championship.
“Ang laking risk kasi para sa amin lalo na ngayon. Ma-sprain lang ako, wala na. Sayang na ‘yung season. Ang daming nawawalang championship dahil lang sa injury.”
San Sebastian College – Recoletos and National University head coach Roger Gorayeb went on the record with the same sentiments.
“Mahirap na kung may mangyare pa sa kanila sa tryout. Talagang naka-focus kami sa season namin,” Gorayeb said.
“Kung mas maaga sana. Swerte nga sila ngayon kasi noong ako naghead coach, dalawang linggo lang halos preparation namin. Alam ko naman na malaking bagay ‘yung National Team para sa player. Pero may malaking commitment kami sa school at sa isa’t isa sa team na awin ‘yung best namin para sa school.”
For other countries, National Teams have specific months when they focus on their international campaign.
If tryouts will be held at a future date after UAAP or NCAA, almost all players said that they would grab the chance.
“Siyempre may maririnig na naman kaming ‘pa-star’ o ‘pa-importante talaga’ pero wala eh. Ganun talaga,” said a likely UAAP MVP candidate.
“Pero kung may chance nga na after the season, makaka-commit ako fully. ‘Yun naman ang deserve ng fans – team na lahat ng players all-in para sa bayan. Kaya ko naman mag-all-in, kaso fold muna ako. Kung may next hand pa, all-in na.”
