Denden Lazaro (13) of the Philippines receives the ball as teammate Alyssa Valdez looks on. Photo from asianvolleyball.net
KUALA LUMPUR—A day after arriving in Malaysia for the Southeast Asian Games here, national team head coach Francis Vicente and his staff announced that Dawn Macandili has replaced Denden Lazaro as the squad’s libero.
“It was hard for us coaches because there was a change in the roster,” said Vicente in Filipino Saturday at Seri Pacific Hotel here in Kuala Lumpur. “And we also need to carefully explain to Denden why she was replaced.”
READ: Macandili replaces Lazaro in SEA Games lineup
Lazaro was chosen as the team’s libero a month before they suited up for the AVC Asian Senior Women’s Volleyball Championship, but the former Ateneo Lady Eagle suffered a hamstring injury in July that hampered her performance.
The Atenean was still able to play in the Asian Championship, but Macandili slowly emerged as the team’s first choice as she eventually earned the tournament’s 2nd Best Libero award.
Vicente added that their choice to put in Lazaro, who was initially a reserve player, was a hard pill to swallow for Lazaro.
“As a player, that change hurt,” said Vicente. “But it was understandable because she was expecting to play but we can’t force her into the role because of medical reasons.”
Vicente added Macandili’s award wasn’t part of their decision and that they can’t put Lazaro in further danger because of the injury.