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[av_heading heading=’BUZZER BEATER | Door still open for Valdez and company?’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
By ADRIAN STEWART CO
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Wednesday, May 17, 2017
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DESPITE his disappointment with the absence of a number of players from his training pool during the “Clash of Heroes” exhibition match on Monday, national women’s volleyball head coach Francis Vicente is keeping the door open.
“The door of the national team is not yet closed. All they have to do is to knock,” Vicente said. “But we will already deliberate on who will be part of the 18-woman national team pool.”
Among the notable absences were Alyssa Valdez, Gretchel Soltones, Elaine Kasilag and Myla Pablo, who were barred by their respective Premier Volleyball League (PVL) teams from attending the exhibition match “to avoid injury.”
Also absent were Cignal HD Spikers players Jovelyn Gonzaga and Rachel Anne Daquis, who were with their team in Japan, and the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers’ Kim Fajardo, Kim Dy, Dawn Macandili and Abigail Maraño.
Ateneo Lady Eagles rookie Kat Tolentino and reserve Madeleine Madayag, meanwhile, gave up their slots in the national team as they intend to recover from minor injuries instead of wearing the country’s colors.
The absence of those above leave the Pilipinas-Blue squad with seven players in Mika Reyes, Fatima General, Frances Molina, Roselle Baliton, Lourdes Clemente, Christine Rosario, and Ilongga Shaya Adorador.
The Pilipinas-Red, meanwhile, was decimated to an eight-woman squad in Jaja Santiago, Kathleen Arado, Genevieve Casugod, Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, Rhea Dimaculangan, Denise Lazaro, Marivic Meneses, and Maika Ortiz.
However, even with a shortened lineup, both teams still made it a competitive game with the Blue team owning the first two sets before the Red squad snatched the next three sets for a come-from-behind win.
While he is not closing his doors on the absent members of his pool, Vicente said he is putting on top of the list those who are committed to represent the country in the upcoming international event.
“The first thing that I want to see in these aspirants is their commitment,” he added. “This event is the ultimate test not only to their skills and talent, but also to their character and commitment to serve the national team.”
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Unlike Vicente, national men’s volleyball team head coach Sinforio “Sammy” Acaylar has already banged the door shut on those who did not attend the exhibition match for the men’s team.
Acaylar said that he has already lost his patience on “diva volleyball players” led by Ateneo Blue Eagles’ Marck Espejo and Ish Polvorosa, who were also mostly absent during their trainings.
“Tapos na ‘yung patience ko sa kanila,” said Acaylar. “During our practice, sometimes hindi sila nage-ensayo, I understand dahil marami silang liga (like the UAAP), inintindi ko lahat ‘yun.”
Also removed from the national pool are other absentees Peter Torres, Mark Alfafara, Bonjomar Castel, Herschel Ramos, Erikson Ramos, Lorenzo Capate Jr. and Anjo Pertierra, who were barred by their PVL team from attending the exhibition match.
“Ibig sabihin hindi talaga sila naka-commit for the country, so bakit hihintayin pa natin sila?” said Acaylar. “We will just do with what we have. We are preparing for a tournament.”
The women’s and men’s exhibition match served as the national pool’s last scrimmage before the announcement of the 18-woman lineup for the Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur in August./PN
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