Valdez, Santiago to stay put in PH despite offers

Valdez says she hopes the sweep will inspire them to play better in the Finals.

Alyssa Valdez and Jaja Santiago have wowed their competitors in the Asian U23 Women’s Volleyball Championship.

And these competitors want them.

Unfortunately for them, Philippine head coch Roger Gorayeb said his two stalwarts would stay put in the Philippines.

“There are some who wanted to get them,” Gorayeb said Saturday at Philsports Arena after the Philippines swept the Islamic Republic of Iran to secure the seventh place in the tournament.

“They cannot leave the country.”

Gorayeb said Thailand offered the two to play in their commercial leagues while Santiago impressed Chinese-Taipei that they too want the towering middle-blocker to play in their leagues.

JAJA Santiago. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

“They are still studying, they have a commitment to their mother teams.”

Iran assistant coach Hashe Maryam Alsadat said she was impressed with Valdez and Santiago during their match.

Even the talisman of the mighty Chinese national team admitted Santiago was a problem for them.

“The middle blocker is good,” Liu Yanhan said.

Valdez said they couldn’t just leave the Philippines to play in another country.

“There are so many commitments here,” Valdez said.

Gorayeb adds that if the rise of volleyball continues in the country, Valdez, Santiago, and other players, don’t need to go to other countries to play.

“Patriotism first, they can carry the flag.”