John Vic thrilled by solid turnout for men’s volleyball team tryout

FILE Photo — John Vic De Guzman during PVL awarding ceremony. INQUIRER FILE

MANILA, Philippines—It’s still seven months away from the 2021 Hanoi Southeast Asian Games but former volleyball captain John Vic de Guzman is already feeling the team’s hunger ahead of the regional games.

De Guzman was one of the 31 players who heeded the call of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation for the creation of the men’s volleyball team that will play in Hanoi and he was satisfied with the relatively large turnout.

“They really want to tryout for the national team,” said de Guzman in Filipino. “I’m really happy with the turnout because almost every one who was invited attended the tryouts.”

The PNVF held the men’s team tryouts on April 29 in Subic with the national sports association inviting 40 players.

De Guzman, who captained the 2019 team to the silver medal in the Southeast Asian Games, led the contingent along with national teammates Marck Espejo, Jessie Lopez, and Joshua Retamar.

Outside hitter Bryan Bagunas could not attend the tryouts as he was undergoing the mandatory 14-day quarantine after arriving from Japan where he plays for Oita Miyoshi in the V.League.

“You can really feel that volleyball is life that these players really love the sport,” said de Guzman. “Others had online classes, some have day jobs, while the others were just waiting for their opportunities.”

“I’m really happy because they want to represent the Philippines.”