There is still a chance for the players who were not able to attend the Philippine National Volleyball Federation’s tryouts in Subic last April 28 to be part of the women’s indoor team.
With 16 players named to the pool, the remaining slots in the 20-woman team will be decided during the start of the Premier Volleyball League’s Open Conference.
The federation is looking for a setter, outside hitter, libero, and opposite.
“They will be selected during the start of the PVL and of course, from the previous competitions because position ang hahanapin.
“We cannot have another tryout because it’s too costly. It’s so costly to have another tryout in Subic. We leave that to the NTC to the coaches, coach Odjie [Mamon] and Coach Jorge [Edson Souza de Brito] to select the additional players,” said PNVF president Tats Suzara.
Shoo-ins to the pool are Jaja Santiago, Aby Marano, Majoy Baron, Eya Laure, Mylene Paat, Iris Tolenada, Kamille Cal, Faith Nisperos, Ivy Lacsina, Mhicaela Belen, Dell Palomata, Ria Meneses, Imee Hernandez, Jennifer Nierva, and Bernadette Pepito.
Those who were not able to attend are a who’s who in the Philippine volleyball scene.
Setters Rhea Dimaculangan, Kim Fajardo, Jia Morado, Alohi Robins-Hardy and Jasmine Nabor and liberos Denden Lazaro, Dawn Macandili, and Kath Arado were not able to attend.
“We definitely need another setter and another libero because the current ones we have on the lineup are young. So we need a veteran libero to beef up the team,” said Mamon.
Also not able to attend were outside hitters Alyssa Valdez, Myla Pablo, Kalei Mau, Ces Molina, Kat Tolentino, and Angel Canino; opposites Dindin Santiago, MJ Phillips, Kim Dy, and Alleiah Malaluan, and middles Risa Sato, Bea De Leon, Maddie Madayag, Marist Layug, Thea Gagate, and Lorene Toring.
Only Canino, Malaluan, Gagate, and Toring will not participate in the PVL as they are still student-athletes.
With this, Suzara hopes that PVL President Ricky Palou will decide to use Subic for their bubble so that all the players will be in one area.
“We had a discussion. I requested the PVL, through Ricky and Tony Boy, if possible na matuloy na sa Subic because doon naka-base ang national team. it will be easier for the players to train,” he said.
“Although nothing is still final, but the PNVF request is to have the PVL bubble in Subic as a priority kasi kung mag-ibang venue, mahihirapan ang national team.”