Alyssa, Aby wants more ‘consistent’ nat’l team

NAKHON RATCHASIMA—A true, solid national volleyball team.

This what Philippine team standard bearers Alyssa Valdez and Aby Maraño are hoping to form as they “take the initiative” to meet up with current members as well as aspiring players even when their respective leagues are in season and there is no international event scheduled yet.

Consistency, according to the duo, is what’s needed by the national team which blew away winnable matches against higher ranked teams to end up ninth overall in the Asian Volleyball Confederation Asian Cup.

Japan and China were locked in the battle for the championship late Sunday.
Australia and Iran, which narrowly escaped the Philippines’ claws, were also battling for seventh place.

“It’s very important to know our strengths and weakness during the crucial part of the matches,” said Valdez.
“We can achieve that by playing, training or bonding with one another so we know each other even off the court,” added Maraño.
Between now and the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, the Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas Inc., led by Peter Cayco, will field the nationals in international competitions and training camps.

But until then, the players will go their separate ways.

Sneaking in training for the SEA Games, even with the club leagues ongoing, is possible because because it’s for the Philippines,” said Valdez.