Valdez reaches out to Vicente, LVPI for national team slot

MANILA, Philippines — Don't be surprised if Alyssa Valdez makes it to the 18-player national women's pool preparing to see action in this August's 29th Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Valdez has reached out to Larong Volleyball ng Pilipinas, Inc. acting president Peter Cayco and national women's coach Fracis Vicente to patch their differences and eventually get into the pool.

"She went to Peter Cayco and Francis Vicente to talk," said a source who is privy to the Creamline star.

Cayco, who was responsible for faciliating the processing of the International Transfer Certificates of the imports suiting up in the Premier Volleyball League, confirmed Valdez, the flag-bearer for the Phl in the 2015 Singapore SEAG, went to him to convey her desire to play for flag and country.

"Yes, its true we talk," said Cayco of Valdez.

Valdez's chance of making the pool turned to slim when she didn't attend the team's showcase event, the Clash of Heroes, Monday in San Juan after Creamline decided to rest her because she has a PVL game the next day.

There were talks that Valdez was hurt when Vicente, her former coach in high school, ranted to media that she only attended one of the team's five practices.

It may have healed already.

With the recent development, Valdez should be part of the 18-player pool that Vicente and Cayco will announce at 2 p.m. Friday at Arellano U's Pasay City campus.

Meanwhile, Cignal's Erickson Ramos, Bonjomar Castel and Mark Alfafara have also personally met with men's mentor Sammy Acaylar yesterday and should also regian their slots in the squad.

Ramos, Castel and Alfafara were removed from the pool after they too, like Valdez, missed the Clash of Heroes because of a previous commitment with their mother team, Cignal.

"I was touched when they personally talked to me. Who am I to deprive the national team of such talents," said Acaylar.