POC to hold volley tryouts for Asian U-23

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Olympic Committee will make sure the country will be well represented the next time it competes in any international volleyball competition.

Jose Romasanta, vice president of the POC, said tryouts will be held in January for the national team to the Asian Under-23 Women’s Volleyball Championship in Manila in May.

“We are calling on everybody to participate in the tryouts,” said Romasanta, now at the helm of the POC-formed committee that has taken charge of the affairs of Philippine volleyball.

The POC official will soon meet with the coaches to determine the mechanics of the tryouts.

The team that will vie in the coming Asian under-23 tournament, including the coaching staff, will also vie in the Southeast Asian Games in Singapore in June.

Romasanta said if called for, a few players would be called to reinforce the team for the SEA Games where there is no age limit.

Since there are two groups disputing leadership in the national volleyball association, the POC has decided to take over the sport and make sure a national team is formed the best way possible.

Romasanta said despite the popularity of volleyball in the country over the past few years, the Philippine Volleyball Federation has not fielded a team to the SEA Games in 2005.

Ramon Suzara, chairman of the Asian Volleyball Confederation development and marketing committee and member of the powerful FIVB development commission, is helping out.

Suzara said a new association will have to be formed as soon as possible so preparations for the national team will be in full swing by the start of 2015.

“We don’t have the luxury of time. A new group must be formed, new officers elected and our national teams formed. As long as the major stakeholders are included, there should be no problem,” he said.

Suzara, formerly with the Philippine Sports Commission, identified the four major stakeholders as the Philippine Super Liga, the Shakey’s V-League, the UAAP and the NCAA.