Is the Philippine National Volleyball Federation Inc. (PNVF) giving a chance to Alyssa Valdez and other players who failed to attend last month’s tryouts for the national women’s team?
It appears so as the 20-athlete women’s pool has yet to be completed with only 16 names being announced Wednesday.
Women’s team coach Odjie Mamon said they still needed two spikers, one libero and one setter to the pool composed of veteran and upcomers.
All 16 players named to the pool were shoo-ins after attending last month’s tryouts. They are Mylene Paat, Eya Laure, Aby Maraño, Majoy Baron, Iris Tolenada, Kamille Cal, Faith Nisperos, Ivy Lacsina, Mhicaela Belen, Alyssa Solomon, Jaja Santiago, Dell Palomata, Ria Meneses, Imee Hernandez, Jennifer Nierva and Bernadette Pepito.
Mamon and his coaching staff, along with Brazilian coach Jorge Edson Souza de Brito, would deliberate on the remaining four slots during the Premier Volleyball League competition scheduled in a few months, as well as their performances from previous events.
“It will be an open selection of the 24 players who didn’t make it. We cannot hold another tryout because it’s costly,” said PNVF President Tats Suzara.
Aside from Valdez, among the spikers who missed the tryouts were Myla Pablo, Kalei Mau, Ces Molina, Kat Tolentino, Kim Dy and MJ Philips.
Liberos who were absent were Denden Lazaro, Dawn Macandili and Kath Arado, while setters who also missed the tryouts were Rhea Dimaculangan, Kim Fajardo, Alohi Robins, Jia Morado and Jasmine Nabor.