For women’s volleyball, forming a national team has been fickle work as of late.
In 2015, Philippine volleyball underwent a sudden change in leadership, but national teams were still formed to compete in the Asian Seniors tournament, Asian U-23, and the Southeast Asian Games.
2017 saw controversy in coach and player selection. The national team still managed valiant performances in that year’s Asian Seniors tournament and SEA Games.
The buildup for the 2019 SEA Games is no different, as the squad has changed coaches just weeks after holding tryouts and just a few months before the Asian Games.
By now, National Team veterans are used to these situations, although, admittedly, they could do without the controversy.
“Positive pa rin kami, whether nagpalit ng coach o hindi. Dapat hindi kami maapektuhan,” said Aby Maraño, who has competed in the past two SEA Games, and was among the 16 players present when Delos Santos was announced as the new head coach.
“Sa kanila na ‘yun eh, ang kailangan namin mag-focus sa ensayo para magpalakas at magpahusay pa. Okay naman din ‘yung set ng coaches na nakilala namin today. I don’t think there will be a problem.”
“Nabigla ako na nagpalit ulet ng coach,” said Denden Lazaro, the defensive ace who has been a part of the National Team since 2015.
“We’re in good hands naman with coach Shaq. He’s a good coach, he has a good system. I’m looking forward to working with him.”
“Actually hindi ko alam na nagpalit muna,” recalled middle blocker Mika Reyes. “Ang sabi lang may final tryouts. So okay. And then siguro two to three days ago, dun ko lang nalaman talaga. Mga Sunday ata yun. Si coach (Shaq) sabi niya, ‘Ye, punta ka sa tryout ha.’ Tapos sabi ko okay coach. Tapos may nagsabi sa akin na teammate ko na siya na daw yung coach.”
While they are ready to play for the country under these circumstances, the players are all hoping for a more united National Team in the coming years.
“Nasanay na din kasi since 2015 ‘di ba?
“Nagbuo ng team ang different association tapos biglang iba ‘yung nag-represent sa Pilipinas. So nangyayare talaga, pero sana last na ‘yung ganitong pangyayare sa Pilipinas para ma-unify na tayo nang matindi at makapag-focus sa pagsali natin sa mga international competition,” expressed Maraño.
“Everybody would like consistency. We’ve all been wanting something long term. But, it’s good to see din that a lot of people are willing to give their time and effort for the National Team.” Lazaro added.
“Since si coach Shaq biglaan ding binigay sa kanya ‘yung position, he was willing to give his time for the team, for the nation.”
