FEU Lady Tamaraws’ Tin Ubaldo is part of Alas Pilipinas’ coach Jorge Souza De Brito wishlist. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Far Eastern University setter Tin Ubaldo is honored to be part of Alas Pilipinas coach Jorge Souza De Brito’s wishlist, expressing her interest in representing the Philippine women’s volleyball team if she gets a call-up.
Ubaldo was part of the Brazilian coach’s wishlist to be a potential national team player as the Alas Pilipinas program got off the ground starting with a historic bronze medal in the AVC Challenge Cup last month.
“My family and friend sent that to me [when it was reported]. I was surprised because it is rare for me [to be under the radar of a national team coach],” the FEU setter told reporters in Filipino.
READ: De Brito bares wishlist of players for AVC Challenge Cup
De Brito said last month that he wants to have Ubaldo, Choco Mucho’s Mars Alba and Maddie Madayag, Akari’s Ivy Lacsina, ZUS Coffee’s Gayle Pascual, and Farm Fresh Jolina Dela Cruz on the roster the future.
“Ubaldo, the setter from FEU. Some good names that you can always think about. They’re developing themselves and every time you do that, you have a chance in the national team. It’s important to know that if you’re performing good, the door is always open. It’s always been like this,” said the Alas coach in a previous interview.
READ: UAAP: FEU coach Tina Salak believes setter Tin Ubaldo ‘still has a lot to show’
But once she gets a call-up, the FEU playmaker would be honored to join the national team.
“Personally, I am willing to play for Alas,” she said.
Alas flies to Japan for a two-week training camp in preparation for the two-leg SEA V League.
For now, Ubaldo’s focus is with the Lady Tamaraws, who are competing in the Shakey’s Super League National Invitationals as a replacement team for defending champion La Salle.
The young playmaker is thrilled to keep their team intact for the next UAAP season after falling short of a Finals return, losing to eventual champion National University in a do-or-die Final Four game.
“We need to strengthen our bond and connection. That’s why this league will help us familiarize each other. It will be easier for the newcomers to adapt to our culture. This will strengthen our team,” Ubaldo said.