Former national team captain Aby Maraño detailed Wednesday’s tryouts for the Philippine women’s volleyball squad at the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority despite the low turnout of athletes due to the pandemic.
In a social media post, Maraño lauded the efforts of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation Inc. (PVNF) in organizing the tryouts amid the circumstances with hopes of forming a formidable squad to the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam late this year.
“What a blessed day! Thank You Lord for a very successful Women’s National Volleyball Team Tryout. Napakasayang maglaro ulit. Masaya rin ang puso ko for being reunited with some of my teammates,” Maraño wrote.
“Salamat po. Well appreciated ang mga hirap at pagod nyo.”
The F2 Logistics Cargo Movers standout said the tryouts went smoothly as far as observing strict health protocols is concerned.
In the photos she posted, Maraño and the rest of the players and coaching staff were seen wearing facemasks inside the court.
“I felt safe during the entire event cause everyone is disciplined enough to follow the safety guidelines,” she wrote.
“Though nakaka-miss makipag-apir after making an awesome score pero sige lang, let’s pray for that day where we can be able to make a high five or hug each other again.”
Only 16 of 40 invited female players attended the one-day proceedings after most players including Alyssa Valdez, Kim Fajardo, Kim Dy, Dawn Macandili and Bea De Leon, to name a few, begged off due to travel and health concerns.
Notable players who joined the tryouts aside from Maraño were Jaja Santiago, Majoy Baron, Mylene Paat, Eya Laure, Iris Tolenada, Ria Meneses and Dell Palomata.
The men’s volleyball team tryouts are being held as of press time, while beach volleyball tryouts for both men and women will be on Friday, April 30.