Women’s volleyball tryout in Subic last month. PNVF photo
MANILA, Philippines — All 16 players who attended the women’s volleyball tryouts in Subic last April were formally named into the national team pool, the Philippine National Volleyball Federation announced Wednesday.
Jaja Santiago banners the field which also included members of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games team in Majoy Baron, Aby Maraño, Eya Laure and Mylene Paat.
“In selecting the members of the pool, we put into strong consideration the athletes’ skills and potentials to improve, and as importantly, their dedication to flag and country, and their visibly innate qualities,” PNVF president Ramon “Tats” Suzara said during a press conference.
Also part of the selection are setters Iris Tolenada and Kamille Cal, outside hitters Faith Lispers, Ivy Lacuna and Mhicaela Belen, opposite hitter Alyssa Solomon, middle blockers Dell Palomata, Risa Meneses and Imee Hernandez and liberos Jennifer Nierva and Bernadette Pepito.
Volleyball tryouts were held from April 28-30 where only 16 of the 40 women’s players showed up. Those who opted to skip cited health and safety concerns due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The tryouts were a success as many players answered the call,” Suzara said. “But what made the tryouts even more successful was that no one from the players nor from the PNVF was infected by the virus.”
“These men and women, may I say, are to become lethal in the next five months or so,” said National Team Commission chair TonyBoy Liao, who joined the press conference from the United States. “The national coaches took their time in determining who deserves to be in the pool.”
The PNVF is gearing up for the Asian Seniors Women Volleyball Championship and the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam this November.