Alyssa Valdez, Philippine volleyball’s most recognizable player, once again made an appeal for unity in the sport that has seen mainstream success and leadership disputes on equal measure the past several years.
This Valdez said on Friday night after taking part in the first day of tryouts for the national team, which is again being bombarded by critics starting from the appointment of coach Ramil de Jesus.
“I will continue showing up because this is for the country,” said the soft-spoken but heavy-hitting open spiker in Filipino. “Hopefully, this continues and everybody gets united for volleyball.”
Aside from several groups attempting to take the reins from the current governing body of the sport, volleyball is also wracked by the bitter rivalry between Philippine Superliga and Premier Volleybal League.
The 24-year-old Valdez, who rose to fame as the heart and soul of Ateneo in the UAAP, was among the 16 players who showed up in the national team tryouts at Arellano University gym.
Valdez apologized for arriving late, along with Creamline teammate Jia Morado who is trying her luck for the first time.
The Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas, Inc. conducted the first of two tryouts for the squad that will vie in the Asian Games in Indonesia this August. A total of 34 players have been invited.
“We hope that for the next training we can commit our time because it’s really a sign of discipline,” Valdez said.
De Jesus, who helped the country snag bronze in the 2005 Manila Southeast Asian Games, admitted the big pressure on taking on global powers Korea, Japan, China, Chinese Taipei and Kazakhstan.
“The critics will always be there. They can say what they want to say. But for me, we’re here because we want to fix the national team and welcome those who want to help,” said De Jesus, a 10-time UAAP champion for La Salle.
Among the big names that graced the first tryouts were Aby Maraño, Jaja Santiago, Dindin Manabat, Ara Galang, Cherry Rondina, Majoy Baron, Cha Cruz-Behag, Kim Fajardo and Kim Dy.