No Way! Yes Way!

#POCWalangKwenta

Well lately, if you will notice, parang nagiging editorial na itong story ko. Sorry. But I really need to let this out. And I also want to inform you, guys. Since you like AlyDen stories, I conclude that you love the sport that they play as well (please tell me I'm right). Sana maintindihan niyo ko.

Before ko minahal ang mga volleyball players natin, mas una kong minahal ang sport. Sobrang mahal ko ang volleyball that it's just frustrating to hear and see na nagkakagulo para sa pagbuo ng national team. Today, nagtrending talaga ang #POCWalangKwenta. Days ago, I've read that POC refuses to recognize the Amihan and Bagwis national teams. They will have their own tryouts daw on the 10th of January.

Then just a while ago, I saw that they will not push through with the tryouts. Why? Because they came up with their own list of players. This is crazy! To think that on top of their list are current members of Amihan (Santiago sisters, Fajardo, Galang, Reyes, Valdez).

What's crazier? They invited the following players: Nicole Tiamzon, Ces Molina, Mina Aganon, Abby Praca, Mylene Paat, Royse Tubino, Jessey de Leon, CJ Rosario, Tin Agno, Len Cortel, and Janine Navarro. Except for Tubino (already part of Amihan), I think the abovementioned players are not ready. I'm not underestimating them. Gosh, I even like some of them! In time, I know they will be great contributors for the national team. But for now, I think they are not yet seasoned to represent the country (you can disagree with me on this if you think otherwise).

Craziest? They will also invite Mary Jean Balse and Rachel Anne Daquis who have been very vocal about their support for PVF! Come on! I know these players are very much willing to play for the country. Pero it's like POC's giving them no other choice but to play under their leadership. Hindi kaya madisheartened ang mga players natin kahit alam ko namang buong puso pa silang handang magsilbi para sa bayan?

Another thing, I already don't know what superlative I could use for this: Where are our best liberos in the list? Nasaan si Jen Reyes, Lizlee Gata-Pantone, at Denden Lazaro? Were they not even considered? Well, in the first place nga pala, POC shouldn't be making their own list kasi nga may national teams na.

Where is the respect for the players? Pati na rin sa mga coaches? Papalitan kasi nila Coaches Roger Gorayeb and Sammy Acaylar sila Coaches Ramil de Jesus and Odjie Mamon. I'm not taking anything away from the new coaches pero nagbuhos na ang players at coaches ng Amihan ng time and effort nila for 2 months.

Grabe naman na! Just because they couldn't get what they want (which is the leadership of PVF), kailangan ba pwersahan na? With this, national sports associations (NSAs) will be discouraged dahil parang wala na silang say sa pagbuo ng national teams. Damay na din pati mga private companies na gustong sumuporta sa mga representante ng bansa.

Sa lahat ng nagmamahal ng Volleyball, alam kong pangarap niyo din makilala ang Philippine Volleyball sa buong mundo. It is just right to give the sport the support we give to teams like Gilas and Azkals. Naniniwala akong kaya ng mga players natin! But if politics and credit-grabbing will continue to plague the national team, paano na ang pangarap na yun?

I don't know if the PVF, the players, or even us simple fans, can do anything about this issue anymore. Pero I hope POC will hear the disappointment (or even anger) of the volleyball community and learn from this. As for PVF and private sponsors, I hope this incident will not demoralize your desire to help the sport. Instead, may this burn your fervor to bring the Philippine Volleyball to the international scene.

Again, these are all based from my opinion and knowledge of the issue. Kung may mali sa pagkakaintindi ko, let me know. Whatever the outcome may be, still expect that I will support the national team. I hope the others do the same. But remember, my loyalty is with the players! #OneforPhilippineVolleyball