As part of the squad’s preparation for their upcoming campaign in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, the Philippine Men’s National Volleyball Team will join the 2019 Thailand Open Sealect Tuna Volleyball Championship this July 4 to 10.
“Meron kaming lalaruan sa Thailand. [Yung] tinatawag nila na Sealect Tuna Thailand Open,” disclosed Alinsunurin following Rebisco-Philippines’ loss to Sta. Elena.
Originally, the Thailand Open is for players under 23-years-old only. However, Rebisco-Philippines’ management reached out to the organizers and asked if they could bring in the National team.
Luckily, the organizers approved their request.
“Ngayon, under-23 yun, tapos pinilit ko na hindi under-23 ang ipadala. Pinilit ko talaga na isama sila kasi wala naman kaming under-23 talaga na binuo. Kung under-23, aapat lang yung member dito na pwede maglaro kaya sabi ko, pilitin natin na lahat makalaro,” explained Alinsunurin.
“Buti pumayag yung organizers na maglaro kami doon. Nagpapasalamat ako na mabibigyan kami ng exposure sa labas.”
With the opportunity at hand, Alinsunurin expressed his thanks to his players’ club teams and the Spikers’ Turf for their unending support and commitment to the National team.
“Meron akong ibinigay na labing-apat na [players], tapos buti na lang yung managers, club teams ay pumayag sa request namin. And pati yung liga din, nag-adjust din kung anuman yung pwedeng gawin para hindi masagasaan yung ibang games ng mga player,” he said.
However, Alinsunurin clarified that being a part of the line-up does not guarantee a spot in the SEA games roster.
“Hindi pa naman final kasi as of now, halos dalawang sets ko na binibigyan ng pagkakataon.
“Kasi importante sa sistema natin, yung setter talaga ang makakasunod sa gusto naming mangyari and siyempre nagkaka-problema din kami sa receive kaya sabi ko may mga chance pa, may mga papasok [pa],” he explained.
Rebisco-Philippines will fly to Thailand on July 3, Wednesday.
