National Team Commission head Tony Boy Liao affirmed that the tryouts will commence as scheduled even if numerous players called to beg off for varying reasons but mostly due to the fear of getting infected with the COVID-19 virus.

As of today, only 17 players of the 40 invited are likely to participate and 11 out of these are student-athletes.

In a statement, the PNVF said Aby Maraño and Majoy Baron have undergone their RT-PCR testing in Pasay last Monday while some of the confirmed names from the pros include Iris Tolenada, Mylene Paat, Eya Laure, and Jaja Santiago.

In a release by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), players from Creamline and Choco Mucho entered their training bubble at St. Paul American School in Clark Freeport Zone, Tuesday.

With this, national team mainstays Alyssa Valdez and Jia Morado as well as Risa Sato of Creamline and Choco Mucho’s Kat Tolentino, Maddie Madayag, Bea De Leon, and Denden Lazaro-Revilla will not be joining the tryout. 

In addition, Liao averred these players will not be expected to see action in the tryout due to the fear of getting the virus. 

“Creamline, Choco Mucho and some other players of the PVL Clubs are not joining the tryouts for reasons that was mostly due to COVID-19. They’re afraid that they might get affected and their families might be affected too,” Liao told SPIN.ph.

Meanwhile, other players have cited their reason for not being able to partake in the tryout.

Dindin Santiago-Manabat said that she has an appointment with her doctor while setter Rhea Dimaculangan said that she will miss the tryout due to the passing of her mother last week.

Kalei Mau, who recently inked as an import of Changas de Naranjito in the Puerto Rican professional volleyball league, also told the federation that she can’t come due to travel restrictions.

Angel Canino will also be skipping the tryouts which her mother, Sol, took to social media to explain. 

“Thank you po. Kahit mabigat po sa loob namin na hadlangan sa ngayon na magkaroon ng chance si Angel sa NT but we need to prioritize her safety. Playing for the country is Angel’s biggest dream but for now it has to wait. Thank u sir Tats and PNVF for inviting Angel. Our heart’s full of pride,” she wrote.

On the other hand, almost all of the players invited to try out for the beach volleyball teams and the men’s indoor team are expected to attend, says Liao.

However, star spiker Bryan Bagunas has recently begged off as he is still completing the 14-day quarantine following his campaign in Japan and is still recovering from an MCL injury.

Men’s assistant coach Dong Dela Cruz said that the rest of the men’s team headed by Marck Espejo, John Vic De Guzman, Jessie Lopez, Rex Intal, Kim Malabunga, Francis Saura, Mark Alfafara, Jao Umandal, Joshua Retamar, Ish Polvorosa, Ricky Marcos and Jack Kalingking is expected to see action in the tryouts. 

Those who are attending the tryouts for the women’s indoor team will most likely be guaranteed a slot in the 25-person pool for the Southeast Asian Games, which will be announced on May 7, Liao bared.