In the recently-concluded 30th Southeast Asian Games, the Philippine Women’s National Volleyball team ended up as the only squad in a four-nation pack to come up empty-handed, and without a single triumphant moment to boot.
After such a dismal campaign, Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas Inc. board chairman and national team program head Peter Cayco revealed that several players have already expressed their intentions to retire from the Games, although he didn’t reveal the said members.
And so, LVPI is looking to invest in the future.
“May ilang players na nagsabi na last SEA Games na nila ‘yun. So, kailangan palitan mo, ‘di ba? Magdadagdag man kami — bata,” Cayco asserted. “Kasi wala na tayong continuity na ganiyan. Magkaka-edad halos ‘yung players natin, kumbaga patapos na. Kailangan ang pinapasok natin ngayon ay ‘yung mga bata.
He then continued, “Although, siguro, hindi magiging as competitive muna this year. At least ‘pag na-develop mo, that’s good for another four to five years.”
The Philippines has no shortage in youthful talents who can make a significant impact in foreign tilts.
In the recent iteration of the biennial meet alone, the Nationals have the likes of Eya Laure, Kath Arado, Maddie Madayag, Dawn Macandili, Jia Morado, Majoy Baron, Ces Molina and Mylene Paat — all of whom are at least 25 years old or younger — on deck.
The fact also remains that a huge amount of young players who are capable of representing the flag such as reigning PVL Open Conference MVP Jema Galanza, prolific scorer Kat Tolentino, Roselyn Doria, and Alohi Robins-Hardy to name a few, are still waiting in the country’s wings.
Considering the national team members who have begged off from duties, as well as the abundance in talent available in the local volleyball circuit, LVPI looks to call for a tryout.
“A couple of players have signified their intentions to beg off from the national team. So siyempre magkakabungi ‘yun kailangan natin punan ‘yun,” Cayco said.
Though the schedule has yet to be finalized, the sport’s governing body seeks to hold the tryouts on February 1.
