Open tryouts set for national women's volleyball pool

MANILA, Philippines – The formation of the national women’s volleyball team kicks off as Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas, Inc. conducts open tryouts to expand the national pool.

The two-day tryouts are set on Thursday and Friday at the Arellano University gym in Legarda with the federation looking forward to see some of the country’s finest young talents slug it out to be part of the pool.

LVPI president Peter Cayco didn’t mention any names, but rising stars Kalei Mau, Milena Alessandrini, Tots Carlos, Angel Canino, Faith Nisperos, Eya Laure, Alyssa Solomon and Kath Arado are all expected to show up.

Walk-in aspirants are also welcome to try their luck.

Cayco said the presence of these young stars would not just boost the national squad bannered by senior members Jaja Santiago, Aby Marano, Mika Reyes and Alyssa Valdez, but will also give the country a solid team for the AVC Asian U23 Women’s Championship later this year.

Aside from the U23, which was first held in Manila in 2015, the Philippines will also compete in the AVC Asian Women’s Club Championship, AVC Asian Senior Women’s Championship and the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

“It’s going to be a very busy year for us so we want to expand our pool with as many players as possible,” said Cayco, saying that a bigger pool also equates to a stronger team should the mainstays are tied up with their respective commitments.

“We need to expand the pool because we want to have stronger teams in major tourneys this year.”

Cayco said more than the skills of these players, most of them still competing at the university level, head coach Shaq Delos Santos also wants to see their commitment and their ability to blend into his system and that of the national team mainstays.

Once the pool has been completed, the federation will launch regular training and will name the 14-woman squad from the pool once the tourney draws near.

The LVPI boss added that they have already sent letters to the Philippine Superliga, UAAP and NCAA to allow their players to join.