Social media has been aflame recently following the announcement of the 14-woman roster of the Philippine Women’s National Volleyball team for the 2018 Asian Games.
Fans have been divided with one-half questioning several inclusions, while the other vehemently defending those on the lineup.
For his part, national team head coach Shaq Delos Santos stands by his final lineup, expressing full confidence with all the players he selected.
“Sobrang happy kami kasi nandoon ‘yung mga kailangan naming players.
“Pero, siyempre, merong kaunting lungkot sa amin kasi hindi namin nadala lahat ‘yung mga napili namin sa 20 players. Siyempre, kailangan talaga namin pumili,” said the current Petron head coach.
Delos Santos is aware of the vitriol of his online critics, whom he chooses to ignore.
“‘Yung quality namin nitong mga kinuha namin, alam naming magpe-perform. Napag-usapan namin na, kung may adjustment man after nitong Asian Games, open kami doon,” he expressed. “Free naman ‘yung mga tao sa opinion nila. Nirerespeto namin ‘yun, pero alam namin kung bakit namin pinili ‘yung mga pinili namin. Hindi naman kami basta maglalagay ng tao na alam naming wala lang.
“Lahat naman sila qualified, pero, ‘yun nga, may iba’t ibang reason para sa mga nangyari.”
Of the players on the roster, winger Ces Molina has had to shoulder the brunt of the backlash.
Although the Petron captain has campaigned numerous times on the international stage, Molina’s spot on the national team was still questioned as she was compared to Pocari Sweat-Air Force open hitter Myla Pablo.
The former San Beda University Lady Red Spiker admitted that she was greatly affected by the harsh comments. But, she remained strong through the help of her fellow national team members — including Pablo who personally messaged her last Thursday night.
“Very supportive naman ‘yung teammates and coaches ko sa akin. Sinasabi rin nila sa akin na ‘wag na lang pansinin. Pero deep inside talaga, sobrang grabe. Nakaka-down,” Molina shared.
“Pero, nakakatuwa din kasi ‘yung mga sumusuporta talaga, nagmemessage pa sila. Kung may nagsasabi na hindi ko deserve ‘yung slot, meron din namang naniniwala na deserve ko ‘yung slot. Ginagawa ko na lang na motivation ‘yun para maging positive ‘yung outcome nang gagawin ko,” she furthered.
“Like, si Myla Pablo nag-message sa akin kagabi na don’t mind na lang ‘yung mga tao. Deserve ko daw ‘yung slot. Malaking bagay na ‘yung tao na kino-compare sa’yo, ‘yun ‘yung magsasabi sa akin nang ganoon. ‘Yung taong kino-compare sa akin, ‘yun ‘yung lumapit.”
Pablo thought it was important to clear the air and express her full support for Molina to show her solidarity with the national team.
“Sabi ko wag niya na pansinin ‘yung mga humuhusga sa kanya. Kayang-kaya niya ‘yun. Galingan niya and good luck,” Pablo told Tiebreaker Times.
“Sabi niya na di daw siya sanay na bina-bash siya. Alam ko ‘yung feeling kapag binabash ka eh. Hinahayaan ko na silang. Patunayan na lang niya na deserve niya.
“Sa mga ganyan kasi, hindi na dapat iniintindi pinapansin. Si Ces kasi, deserve niyang makapasok sa national team, hindi kasalanan na nakuha siya. Kawawa naman ‘yung tao kasi nakukutiya siya kahit wala naman siyang ginagawang masama,” expressed the former V-League Most Valuable Player. “Siyempre, mga player kami, pero tao din kami na nasasaktan. Support na lang tayo kung sinuman ‘yung ipadala sa Asian Games saka sa mga susunod na laban.”
National team captain Aby Maraño has been the staunchest online advocate for her squad.
The former DLSU Lady Spiker urges her fellow Filipinos to give the athletes support and understanding as they continue to sacrifice and strive to bring volleyball to great heights in international volleyball.
“Masasabi ko lang na opnion nila ‘yun. Ibibigay na namin sa kanila ‘yun. Siguro, ibigay na rin naman nila sa amin ‘yung tiwala na kung sinuman ‘yung nandito, gagawin ‘yung lahat para maabot kung ano ‘yung ineexpect ng mga tao kahit hindi ‘yung ‘yung players na inaasahan nila,” insisted Maraño.
“Bigay niyo sa mga players ‘yung pangarap na makalaro sa national team kasi hindi naman pumupunta dito para mangarap lang. Lahat nang ginagawa dito, ginagawa ng manlalaro, hindi lang para matugunan ‘yung pangarap nita, bagkus matugunan ‘yung pangarap ng bayan. Lahat kami nagpapakahirap mag-ensayo; nagkakapasa, nasusugatan. Hindi nila napapansin ‘yun. Nakakapang-husga lang sila. Hindi nila alam ‘yung pinagdadaan nang bawat atleta.”
