Vicente rues Valdez’s absences; star apologetic

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Head coach Francis Vicente admitted being dismayed that star player Alyssa Valdez has shown up just once in the past five training sessions of the national pool.

Valdez, who flew in from Thailand just to attend the tryouts in Davao City, expressed her regret in an interview with the Inquirer, citing a conflict in her schedule for her absences.

“I don’t know. She can’t blame me. All of them have the skills, the height, the talent. But I also require discipline,” Vicente told the Inquirer Wednesday.

Also Wednesday, Valdez extended her apologies to the coaching staff saying she’s doing everything she can “to be able to help the national team.”

“I’m really sorry but some of the practice schedules were in conflict with some of my commitments,” added Valdez.

Of the five training sessions, Valdez missed one because she hadn’t flown in from Bangkok yet and another one because of a prior commitment to her volleyball camp. Two of the training sessions, meanwhile, coincided with her commitments to her club team.

The national team to the Southeast Asian Games will be determined after the Clash of Heroes exhibition match on May 15.

Vicente said the rest of the players in the pool “show up regularly.” The coach admits that there could be a backlash if he cuts Valdez but added: “If I include her [despite her absences], I would be bashed also by the fans of other players [who attend practices] who would accuse me of favoritism.”

Valdez said she’s still hoping she will be given the chance to represent the country.

“I’ll always do my best if given the chance to represent the country,” she said.

But she said she’ll leave her fate up to the officials.

“They know what’s best for the team,” said Valdez, saying she was surprised there was an issue like this because nobody had talked to her about it.