Sixteen out of 40 female volleyball players answered to Philippine National Volleyball Federation Inc.'s (PNVF) invitation to participate in a one-day tryout for the women’s team that would compete in the 31st Southeast Asian Games late this year.
Jaja Santiago bannered the list of participants composed of veterans and collegiate players in the tryouts held at the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.
Also present were Aby Maraño, Majoy Baron, Mylene Paat, Eya Laure, Iris Tolenada, Ria Meneses and Dell Palomata, as well as collegiate hopefuls Kamille Cal, Mhicaela Belen, Ivy Lacsina, Alyssa Solomon, Jennifer Nierva, Faith Nisperos, Imee Hernandez and Bernadette Pepito.
Alyssa Valdez and other national team veterans reportedly wrote letters to the PNVF begging off from participating due to safety and health precautions.
Other players who were also absent were Kim Fajardo, Jia Morado, Rhea Dimaculangan, Myla Pablo, Ces Molina, Kat Tolentino, Dindin Santiago, Kim Dy, Risa Sato, Bea De Leon, Maddie Madayag, Dawn Macandili, Denden Lazaro and Kath Arado, to name a few.
Kalei Mau, who was in the United States, had earlier announced she would not participate in the proceedings due to travel and health restrictions, while MJ Phillips couldn’t join as she was forced to go into quarantine after a staff in her Sta. Lucia team tested positive of COVID-19 the other day.
The tryouts spearheaded by women’s team coach Odjie Mamon followed strict health protocols with athletes and staff undergoing swab tests over the last two days.
Players and coaches also wore face masks during the proceedings in accordance with the protocols set by Dr. Raul Canlas, PNVF’s medical commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee.
Men’s volleyball tryouts, meanwhile, are set Thursday, April 29, while beach volleyball tryouts for men and women will be on Friday, April 30.