De Jesus: I just want those invited to tryouts to show interest

National team head coach Ramil de Jesus wants to see more interest from the players who were invited to join the tryout for the women’s volleyball team pool, which wrapped up its second session on Wednesday.

Larong Volleyball ng Pilipinas Inc. and De Jesus, who was officially named the coach at the start of the tryouts last week, sent out invitations to 34 players both in the collegiate and professional ranks but the second day of tryout at Arellano gym failed to draw a complete cast.

Of the 34 players, only nine showed up for both the two sessions—mostly current or former players of De Jesus’ in La Salle along with University of Santo Tomas’ Cherry Rondina and Sta. Lucia’s MJ Phillips—while 18 attended at least once.

“I just want those in the master list to show interest,” said De Jesus in Filipino. “I’d be happy if they show up because if they don’t that would be a predicament for us, because even though you were invited but you didn’t show up, then that’d be useless.”

Ateneo’s Maddie Madayag, Bea De Leon, Jhoana Maraguinot, University of the Philippines’ Isa Molde, National University’s Jasmine Nabor, Far Eastern University’s Bernadeth Pons and Kyle Atienza, and Cignal’s Rachel Anne Daquis didn’t participate in the tryouts.

There were some, though, who attended Wednesday’s session even though they weren’t included in the invitees.

Generika’s Bang Pineda and Cocolife’s Denden Lazaro, who both play the libero position, joined the pool to the satisfaction of De Jesus.

“I’m happy because they showed interest even though they weren’t included in the master list,” said De Jesus, whose pool would have the players who will compete in the 2018 Asian Games and the 2018 AVC Asian Women’s Cup.

De Jesus, however, understands the absences since the collegiate players are still playing in the UAAP Season 80 women’s volleyball tournament  while the Philippine Super Liga Grand Prix is on going.

“It can’t be helped that some players can’t come because the other tournaments are still not finished like the UAAP and the PSL,” said De Jesus, who is also coaching De La Salle, which is looking for a third straight title in the UAAP.

“I understand that they can’t leave, and I just tried if the players can escape for one day and join the tryouts.”

De Jesus will meet with his assistants to determine if there’s a need for a third day of tryout.