The Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas Inc. (LVPI) made it clear yesterday that players aspiring to wear the country’s colors in the 29th Southeast Asian Games in Malaysia this August will have to convince the coaching staff they deserve to be there.
The first criteria is for the player to attend the tryouts that will be held in Manila, Cebu and Davao, according to women’s head coach Francis Vicente, stressing that even somebody like Alyssa Valdez will have to show up.
“She has to attend and show everybody that she is there during the tryout. We need to protect the integrity of the volleyball community,” said Vicente during yesterday’s PSA Forum held at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
“I need to see their commitment,” added Vicente.
The issue with Valdez, regarded as the face of Philippne volleyball, was raised as she is committed to play for a Thai ballclub in the next few months.
But before leaving, Valdez met with the LVPI to express her desire to represent the country in the SEAG scheduled Aug. 19 to 31 in Kuala Lumpur.
LVPI president Joey Romasanta insists that the 23-year-old Valdez will be a welcome addition to the squad provided that she has to go through the process of qualifying.
“Her expression to attend is commendable. Right now she has a very good chance but we have to look at the others as well,” said Romasanta.
Valdez told LVPI officials that she will fly out of Bangkok even for a few days just to attend one of the three tryouts.
Still, the LVPI is not yet assured of an outright slot to the SEAG as it has to convince the SEAG Task Force that it merits an inclusion.
Philippine Sports Commission chairman William ‘Butch’ Ramirez had earlier declared that the agency will only fund athletes who have what it takes to bring medals.
LVPI vice-president Peter Cayco, however, maintains that the LVPI will not twist arms in making sure volleyball gets representation in Malaysia.
“We will not force it,” assured Cayco, who is closely working with Romasanta in tapping private sector support so it could help the PSC in funding the LVPI.
Cayco says that even the men’s team is being eyed for inclusion as well with men’s coach Sammy Acaylar tasked with the job of coming up with a competitive unit by May.