When the Philippine Men’s National Volleyball Team did their team photoshoot last August 1, a few faces were missing in the picture. However, an unfamiliar face stood out.
National University setter Josh Retamar was seen donning the blue and red together with the original pool – leaving a lot of fans puzzled, questioning the young playmaker’s inclusion in the shoot.
Twenty days later, National team head coach Dante Alinsunirin has confirmed Retamar’s inclusion, as he replaces former NU Setter Kim Dayandante in the 20-man pool.
“Si Kim [Dayandante] kasi, binaba ko. Si Kim wala na sa 20. Pero si Kim nageensayo pa rin sa amin and sabi ko sa kaniya magtuloy tuloy lang siya,” Alinsunurin disclosed.
“Si Joshua kasi kaya kinuha ko para ‘pag dating sa huli, may height kami. Yun [kasi] yung nagiging problema namin nung last game e, nung naglaro kami sa Thailand, yung height.”
The move did not sit well with some fans as some of them felt that newly-minted Spikers’ Turf Reinforced Conference Best Setter Vince Mangulabnan should have gotten the call-up.
However, Alinsunurin defended his decision, explaining that when his wards suited up in the 2019 Sealect Tuna Championships in Thailand, the majority of their opponent’s hitters started targeting the likes of Jessie Lopez, Ish Polvorosa, and Dayandante when they move to the front row.
And this proved to be the last straw for Alinsunurin. He finally pulled the trigger and replaced the 5-foot-10 Dayandante with the much taller, yet younger Retamar, who stands at 6-foot.
“’Pag tapos nung naglaro kami sa Thailand, talagang nakita namin yung kakulangan namin sa height. Kasi sila yung pinupuntahan nang pinupuntahan e,” recalled Alinsunurin.
“Mas kailangan talaga namin kahit papaano may height para magulat sila na, ‘Uy, meron pa lang setter na malaki dito sa Pilipinas’ kasi naka-mindset sila na ‘Ah Pilipinas ‘yan, kahit malakas ‘yan yung setters nila maliliit. Doon tayo pupunta nang pupunta’ ngayon magugulat sila na may malaki pala.
“Vince [Mangulabnan] and Jessie [Lopez] same ng laro e, si Vince nandiyan bata pa naman. Eh si Jessie, ‘di ba may experience? Hindi lang sa setting ko magagamit ‘yan, may iba pa akong ‘pag gagamitan diyan. Kaya sabi ko, ayoko lang na magtakip takip sila. Si Ish [Polvorosa] iba din laro ni Ish. Iba ang laro ni Jesse, ngayon kung lalagyan ko pa nung Vince, eh sa amin galing ‘yan e. Same lang yung magiging pattern niya,” he further explained.
Alinsunurin believes that Retamar’s inclusion will give him more experience which can only lead to good things for the National team in the long run.
“Oo siyempre. Sana. Kahit sinong [maging] coaches, talaga ‘yan ang tatargetin. Yung bata talagang para doon e, and sabi ko nga sa kaniya, kailangan mo lang ma-guide lang sa pag aaral,” he said.
Retamar’s papers have already been approved by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and he will undergo the required medical clearance in the following weeks.
