The Philippine Women’s National Volleyball Team began probably their most challenging year since rebooting in 2015, on Thursday afternoon at the Arellano University Law School Gym.
Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas Inc. president Peter Cayco laid out the program for the year, which has several major events in the upcoming months.
The Nationals will participate in two major tournaments: the Asian Women’s Championship in Korea on August; and the Southeast Asian Games here in Manila on December.
Cayco also revealed that the seniors will have a training camp in Japan in August, and possibly another in June, depending on schedule. To further bolster their preparations, the Nationals look to participate in the Asian Women’s Club Championship in China from April 20 to 28.
The LVPI also took the first step in reviving the Under-23 program by holding tryouts earlier today. The Asian U23 tournament is slated for July 13 to 21 in Vietnam. The Philippines last entered in 2015.
To top it off, the Nationals will have to consider their commitments to their clubs and universities. In February, UAAP Season 81 and the Philippine Superliga Grand Prix will kick off.
Still, just getting the preparation off the ground was a huge step.
Cayco notes that the U-23 team is seen as a farm team, whose members can be easily assimilated into the seniors squad.
“We’re forming two teams — the National Team and the Under-23, which would also serve as a farm team for the National Team,” said Cayco, adding that at least four U23 pool members will likely be included the seniors pool.
Cayco also noted that the program will survive, regardless of the level of support from the Philippine Sports Commission. He referenced of the LVPI’s and PSC’s icy relationship last year, which he is optimistic is a thing of the past.
“We managed to survive last year without the help of PSC. Kaya naman siguro mabuhay ngayon,” pointed out Cayco with assurance from the National Team’s main backer in Rebisco.
“Tulong-tulong kami. I already got their (Rebisco) commitment for both teams. It’s all a matter of tying up loose ends. I think we’ll survive. Ngayon, kung tulungan kami ng PSC, salamat nang marami,” he added.
“Last year, every time we have a tournament, we forward a request, puro lang (sila) deny. At least ‘di nila masabi na we didn’t try. Even if we don’t expect anything positive, we file a request. Pero we’re prepared na.
“Noong Asian Games, they talked to me in Indonesia kung puwede daw tanggapin ko na ‘yung suppport nila. Sabi ko, okay lang but ‘di ko na magagamit ‘yung support nila kasi ‘yung equipment because I have commitments to my sponsors. Nandiyan na ngayon. They’re releasing the items that were given by PSC,” he closed.
