Alyssa Valdez. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Philippine top volleyball star Alyssa Valdez won’t join the team to the prestigious VTV women’s invitational cup slated July 25 to Aug. 1 in Bac Lieu, Vietnam.
This was confirmed by no less than Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas president Joey Romasanta who bared that they will finalize the lineup in a board meeting Tuesday.
READ: Valdez ‘proud’ of Ateneo teammates in win over UST without her
The plan was to gather back the Southeast Asian Games squad to play in Vietnam but most of them are unavailable.
Also expected to skip the tourney are Jia Morado, Gretchel Soltones, Denden Lazaro, Rachel Anne Daquis, Jaja Santiago and Bea de Leon either due to injury or personal commitments.
READ: Gorayeb, core of SEA Games team to lead PH in Vietnam volley tilt
But Romasanta hardly expressed any worry as the coaching staff submitted to him an 18-man pool for the Vietnam tourney.
Included in the list are Aby Marano, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Rhea Dimaculangan, Maika Ortiz and Dindin Manabat.
The Vietnam team will be mentored by Roger Gorayeb, the embattled coach who tutored the team to the Asian U23 and the SEA Games, instead of Tai Bundit who was the original choice.
READ: PSL president questions Gorayeb appointment as volley coach anew
“I’m sure (LVPI secretary general) Ricky Palou would have an explanation,” said Romasanta regarding the switch of coaches.
Romasanta said the board will also tackle the different committees they set up including that which will synchronize the schedule for all the major leagues like the Philippine Superliga, Shakeys V-League, NCAA and UAAP.
“I told them that let this year finish and we’ll work on (the new schedule) starting next year,” said Romasanta.
Volleyball season is divided into the club season, which runs from May to October. and the rest of the year where international meets are held.