Form the looks of the two-day tryouts for the national women’s volleyball teams, top officials are upbeat of the country’s medal chances in the Southeast Asian Games in December.
Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas president Peter Cayco said the Philippines has a very strong chance of making the podium for the first time since 2005’s bronze medal finish in Manila.
“You can bet on it, we will get a medal in the SEA Games,” said Cayco. “We’re only talking about which colour.”
Cayco said he was elated by the presence of volleyball superstar during the tryouts held at Arellano University gym in Manila.
League’s biggest draws and national team regulars Alyssa Valdez, Denden Lazaro, Mika Reyes, Aby Marano and Ces Molina led some 40 club and collegiate players who trooped to Arellano for a chance to represent the country.
“They are all here. That goes to show how inspired and willing they are to wear the Philippine colors,” said Cayco. “This is very special because the SEA Games will be held in the country and they get the opportunity to play in front of their countrymen.
University of Santo Tomas’ Eya Laure and UAAP juniors MVP Angel Canino led the young players who applied for the U-23 team seeing action in the coming Asian Women’s Volleyball.
The PH U23 team will see action in the Asian U23 Championships on July 13-21 in Hanoi, Vietnam.
But the spotlight is on the popular women’s seniors team which will be sent to compete in the Asian Women’s Clubs on April 27-May 5 in Tianjin, China; and in the Asian Seniors on Aug. 17-25 in Seoul, South Korea.