FILE PHOTO – Alyssa Valdez. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Alyssa Valdez will take a break from her participation in the Thailand volleyball league and make a brief return to Manila to take part in the ongoing Philippine national volleyball team tryouts in Davao City this weekend.
“Alyssa’s inclusion in the tryouts is such a big boost to our team,” said Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas, Inc. acting president Pete Cayco. “At least, all of the country’s best talents have made themselves available.”
But he added that Valdez’s mere appearance is not tantamount to outright inclusion.
“It’s now up to coach Francis Vicente to decide on how he will assemble the team,” said Cayco. “We wish Alyssa best of luck in the tryouts.”
Valdez has been the best player in the country for some time now and was invited to suit up as an import in Bangkok.
Vicente, who is head coach of the highly anticipated women’s team, said they expect to have a complete team by the first week of March.
Cayco and incumbent LVPI president Joey Romasanta lauded Valdez’s gesture which meant taking a break from her stint with 3BB Nakornnont in the Thailand league.
Valdez is set to arrive in Manila 6 a.m. Saturday from Bangkok, then take a flight to Davao City at 9 a.m., just in time for the tryouts, which begin
1 p.m.
The following day, Sunday, she flies back to Manila at lunchtime, and then to Bangkok in the evening.
Her tickets were reportedly paid for by Shakey’s V-League and LVPI official Ricky Palou.
The Philippines is hoping to put up an 18-member pool for two tournaments this year.