Valdez willing to join national team tryouts; no star treatment promised

Expect volleyball phenom Alyssa Valdez to show up in the tryouts of the national women’s volleyball team.

Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas Inc. acting president Peter Cayco announced yesterday that the former Ateneo star has expressed willingness to fight for a spot in the squad bound for the Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia, this August.

“We told Alyssa that there would be no star treatment, but we would love to have her on board,” said Cayco, who met Valdez during the weekend prior to her departure for Bangkok on Sunday.

According to Cayco, Valdez will skip the initial phase of the tryouts on Jan. 28 to 30 at Arellano Gym to fulfill her commitment with Thai club 3BB Nakornnont. She will join the tryouts when the they jump to Cebu and Davao in February.

“We’re glad Alyssa respects the entire selection process the same way she respects the head coach (Francis Vicente) and the other players who are ready to fight for their spots in the team,” said Cayco.

Vicente was Valdez’s coach in high school at University of Sto. Tomas.

“I will not get her just because she was my player back in high school,” said Vicente in yesterday’s PSA Forum.