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[av_heading heading=’Coach Vicente defends nat’l volleyball pool picks’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
By ADRIAN STEWART CO
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Thursday, March 16, 2017
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MANILA – After receiving harsh feedback from volleyball fans, head coach Francis Vicente on Wednesday explained the exclusion of some prominent volleyball players from the national team pool.
Among the notable players not in the 25-man pool are pros Ara Galang, Honey Royce Tubino, Jennylyn Reyes, Michelle Gumabao and Melissa Gohing.
The collegiate stars who failed to get an invite were Bernadeth Pons, Cherry Rondina, Ennajie Laure, Bea de Leon, Mary Joy Baron, Mary Remy Palma, Michelle Morente, Julia Morado and Jasmine Nabor.
“Mahirap sagutin ‘yan (exclusion of some volleyball players),” said Vicente. “It’s based on those things na binigay kong criteria how to choose the players, wag tayong ‘yung ako gusto kita dito ka na.”
“Just for example Galang and Morado, mababa ‘yung rankings nila kaya hindi sila nakasama sa pool,” he added. “Same goes with other players na hindi nasama sa lineup.”
Vicente also defended the inclusion of his player from University of the East Lady Warriors in setter Roselle Baliton, over other shorter setters from the amateur and professional ranks.
“It was an easy decision for me to include Roselle, height cannot be taught,” Vicente said on 6-foot-1 setter Baliton. “Yung experience natutunan ‘yan pero ‘yung height hindi.”
Bannering the national team pool are Ilonggas Aiza Maizo-Pontillas and Abigail Maraño, Guimaras-native Jovelyn Gonzaga and Negros Occidental’s Genevieve Casugod.
Among the PSL stars in the pool are Dindin Santiago-Manabat, Maika Ortiz and Gretchel Soltones of Foton; Mika Reyes and Rhea Dimaculangan of Petron; Rachel Anne Daquis of Cignal HD; Fatima General of Generika and Denise Lazaro of Cocolife.
Picked by Vicente from the Philippine V-League teams are Alyssa Valdez of Creamline, as well as Myla Pablo and Elaine Kasilag of two-time champions Pocari Sweat Lady Warriors.
From collegiate teams are De La Salle’s Kim Fajardo, Dawn Macandili and Kim Dy; Ateneo’s Madeleine Madayag and Kat Tolentino; University of the East’s Roselle Baliton and Kath Arado; National University’s Jaja Santiago; University of Santo Tomas’ Marivic Meneses; and Lourdes Clemente of NCAA’s Perpetual Help.
The 25-man national volleyball team pool will eventually be trimmed down next month to 12, to compete in the SEA Games on Aug.19 to 31, the Asian U-23 in Thailand and the Asian Senior Women’s Volleyball Championship in Manila from Aug. 9 to 17./PN
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