Vicente on Valdez, absent stars: ‘You just have to knock’

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

“The door is closed, but it’s not yet locked.”

Those words came straight from women’s national volleyball team head coach Francis Vicente regarding the top players who didn’t show up during Monday night’s Clash of Heroes match.

Alyssa Valdez, Rachel Anne Daquis, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Aby Marano and Kim Fajardo didn’t make it to what was supposed to be last phase of the national tryouts along with Myla Pablo, Kim Dy and Dawn Macandili.

“Everything is under deliberation,” said Vicente when asked about the absentee players who raised different reasons. “The door is closed but not yet locked. Now, you just have to knock.”

He said the 18-woman lineup will be made within this week which will be submitted to the Philippine Sports Commission.

But Vicente stressed the players worth mentioning were those present like Mika Reyes, Jaja Santiago and Denden Lazaro. The 15 of the 25 who made it were described by Vicente as “patriots.”

Reyes scored 17 points as she served as the leader for Philippine Blue team, which came back from two sets down to defeat Philippine Red, 19-25, 22-25, 25-19, 25-15, 15-10.

“I admit that my team was the underdog at the start of the game but I told them to just do your best we’ll cover for each other,” said Reyes.

Vicente lauded the players and singled out Reyes.

“I admire the players whose focus is for the country,” said Vicente. “Like Mika she’s very busy but she’s here fulfilling her commitment.”

Ces Molina topscored with 20 points and Shaya Adorador added 13 for PH-Blue.

Santiago had 19 points for PH-Red, which was also bannered by Kath Arado and Denden Lazaro, who accounted for 20 excellent digs.