Wanted: Tall, young players

The hashtags “puso” and “utak” may have to give way to #bata and #tangkad.

That’s as far as the national women’s volleyball coach Francis Vicente is concerned as he begins to form the most anticipated team in the country outside of basketball.

Vicente said the tryouts for the national team to the Southeast Asian Games and AVC Women’s Seniors will be on Jan. 28, 29 and 31 at Arellano University Gym in Pasay City.

Already, the tryouts are being followed closely on social media with fans lobbying for their idols to make the national team.

But Vicente said popularity won’t be the criteria in looking for members of the squad.

The veteran mentor, who took the helm at Generika and Philips Gold in the Philippine Superliga and University of the East in the UAAP, said he is looking for young and tall players for the national squad.

“I don’t want to name names, but everybody has a chance. The important thing is they need to show up in tryouts,” said Vicente.