PH volleyball setting aside some main guns

Will the country ever return to its glory days?

For the past years, the women’s volleyball national team has been handled by different coaches with distinct playing styles and systems. However, with the almost podium finish of the national team in the Southeast Asian Games 2019, will the country ever return to its glory days with Odjie Mamon and Brazilian coach Jorge Edson Souza de Brito conducting the rhythm of the team’s offense and defense?

Now, with the new roster composed of primarily rookies and some veterans, it is obvious that today’s roster may have potential, but the most disputed part of all this is leaving behind two of the mainstays—Alyssa Valdez and Jia Morado; likewise, one of the best liberos in the country, Kat Arado.

Vying on these fresh, younger, and taller pool will be great; however, as a fan and spectator of volleyball, excluding the likes of Morado and Valdez will make a huge difference—their leadership, experiences, and undeniably phenomenal skills that they can bring to the table is a valuable addition to the team, mainly for the new players. 

The continuity of the volleyball system and program in the Philippines is obviously in need of attention. Nevertheless, it may be the beginning of a long-term goal in striving for more competitive volleyball if the country is trying to catch up with strong teams such as Thailand and Japan.

From one of the strongest teams in Southeast Asia, the national team has yet to have a podium finish in SEA Games for more than a decade. Will 2021 be the year to put a stop to the never-ending rebuilding stage of the Philippine women’s volleyball team? 

LAYOUT BY: Sigrid Deryll Q. Dy