If you’ve been reading Tiebreaker Times, you would know that Jia Morado is one of the best setters in the country.
The former UAAP Best Setter has an uncanny knack for turning bad first touches into solid opportunities for her teammates to score.
In each of her four years in the UAAP, the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles have been the top attacking team despite their low reception and digging numbers in some seasons. Morado also shone in her two National Team campaigns; orchestrating the offense for the U-23 team and SEA Games squad back in 2015.
Which is why when the 25-woman pool for the 2017 National Team was announced, Morado’s absence was immediately questioned by pundits and fans alike. With three other setters — two-time UAAP Best Setter Kim Fajardo, UST legend Rhea Dimaculangan, and UE’s Roselle Baliton — making the pool, people wondered why Morado was not given a look.
Morado confirmed that she was aware of the late January tryouts in Manila but had opted not to join since the UAAP was right around the corner. She was also not given a special invitation for the special tryouts for collegiate players last Sunday.
“No, we weren’t given an invite, actually. Medyo nagulat ako na may nangyari pa lang tryout.
“I’m not one naman to ignore an invite to represent the country. We didn’t receive any invite personally or kahit sa office namin,“ Morado shared.
“Kami in the office, we know naman na mahirap mag-singit ng tryout lalo na with the season, and the schedule ng training namin. Hindi naman kami pinagbabawalan, kasi naman we know our commitments and responsibilities,” she clarified.
The 21-year-old expressed confidence that the those who made the team and chose the players know what’s best for the National Team.
“Actually, I’m sure naman everyone in that pool is deserving, and anyone you put in that team naman, pare-pareho naman kami ng goal eh, to play for the country and represent the country,” Morado expressed.
“It’s not my decision to make naman, decision yung ng coaching staff. They know what’s best naman for the team they want to form. I respect their decision.”
Still, Morado’s desire to represent the country has not wavered.
“Of course, anyone would want to represent the country and help the country,” Ateneo’s skipper stressed.
