The biggest news from this weekend was the Larong Volleyball ng Pilipinas Incorporated’s announcement of the Philippine Women’s Volleyball National Team’s participation as a guest team in the upcoming Philippine Superliga Inivitational Cup.
The biggest question was if the players from the Premier Volleyball League in the national team pool were going to be allowed to play in their rival league.
For now, even the players are unsure.
Speaking with Tiebreaker Times, Alyssa Valdez disclosed that she had yet to talk at length with her mother team, the Creamline Cool Smashers.
Valdez and Creamline setter Jia Morado talked to LVPI acting president Peter Cayco on Wednesday afternoon about the plans with the national team and the PSL.
“I think the question naman is not just for us players, but, siyempre, may mother teams din kami,” Valdez said.
“We also have managers na we’re committed to din, so we have to ask permission from them. If given a chance, maganda ding lumabas din tayo as national team para makakuha ng experience katulad ng mga practice games with different teams,” the 24-year-old spiker pointed out.
“I think the level of competition is… ‘yun ‘yung kailangan ng team kasi mas malakas ang mga kalaban sa Asian Games.”
Valdez is now waiting for formal letters to be exchanged between Creamline management and the LVPI.
“We’re waiting also for the formal letter. It’s gonna be along process for everyone. If Creamline will see the benefit of this for our team and the national team, I think, there’s no question naman. I think we have to meet halfway also because there’s a lot of commitments also,” the native of San Juan, Batangas expressed.
“In all honesty, all the coaches naman have been talking to us about what’s going to happen, kung ano ‘yung plans for the tournament. It’s still at an early stage for the national team. We’re open to talking about our priorities and our commitments and sa mga scheduling,” she added.
“It’s good kasi kailangan talaga natin ng communication and plotting all the schedules para wala tayong maapektuhan. We’re in the process of talking to our club teams and clarifying.”