When the Philippine National Volleyball Federation unveiled its 20-woman pool for the 31st Southeast Asian Games, there was one glaring non-inclusion on the roster.
Six-foot middle blocker Majoy Baron was not part of the list.
Baron had been a mainstay for the Philippine Women’s National Volleyball Team since 2018. She was part of the team that competed in the 2018 Asian Games, the inaugural ASEAN Grand Prix, and the 31st Southeast Asian Games.
Moreover, the native of Concepcion, Tarlac was one of the 16 players that went to the Subic tryouts of the federation back in April of last year. She was also a member of the Rebisco team that competed in the 2021 Asian Women’s Club Volleyball Championship.
Faith Nisperos with Aby Marano and Major Baron/PNVF
In the club scene, she helped F2 Logistics win the first-ever PNVF Champions League for Women. However, Baron was not able to nab one of the two Best Middle Blocker plums. These instead went to her teammate Aby Maraño and Maika Ortiz.
Baron’s agent Suki Salvador told Tiebreaker Times that they respect the federation’s decision to not include their client.
Salvador also added that Baron currently remains laser-focused on F2 Logistics’ upcoming campaign in the 2021 Premier Volleyball League Open Conference. The tournament begins on March 16.
“Majoy is signed with the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers and will continue to play for the champion club,” said the president of One Mega Group.
Baron previously had an offer to play for Top Seed Volleyball Club in Taiwan last year. In addition, the 26-year-old had to beg off from invitations to join pageant camps to focus on the game.
“While she has received an invitation to join a pageant camp, she has decided to continue playing volleyball instead,” Salvador said.
According to PNVF president Tats Suzara, Jorge Edson Souza de Brito selected the new members of the pool. De Brito is an FIVB-appointed volleyball coach with the task of overseeing the country’s women’s national team program.
The Brazilian selected Marano, Ria Meneses, Dell Palomata, and Jaja Santiago to man the frontline of the team.
