All 16 players who attended the tryouts last April 28 in Subic are included in the women’s national pool, the PNVF announced last month. 

PNVF president Tats Suzara took a strong stance on the ‘no tryout, no national team’ policy.

Out of the 40 players who were invited, 24 athletes had begged off because of safety reasons due to the pandemic which included the country’s top hitter, Alyssa Valdez. 

During an interview, the seven-time Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Most Valuable Player was asked if she would suit up for the national team but did not answer in the reason that she is not in the right place to respond to it. 

“I’m not in the position to say anything po kung mapapasama ako sa national team kasi may mga tamang tao na makakasagot sa question na ‘yan,” Valdez said. 

However, when asked if she will be given an opportunity to represent the country again internationally, the volleyball star did not dither. 

“But kapag pinatawag, and siyempre alam niyo naman po ‘yung commitment and dedication natin sa national team and para sa bansa. Gustong-gusto po nating ilaban at i-represent ang bansa kung sakali po,” she propounded.

It is not the end for the players who missed the national team tryout as there is very little chance to secure a spot. 

The PNVF proposed that there are four remaining players to complete the 20-woman pool. National team commission co-chairman Tony Liao said the four remaining spots will be named from the 24 invited players who did not attend the tryouts once Brazilian coach Jorge Edson Souza de Brito arrives in July. 

But they will not hold another tryout instead, Souza de Brito will observe these players during the PVL.

The four remaining spots will be composed of a setter, an outside hitter, a libero, and an opposite spiker.