Aiza Maizo admits surprise over appointment as nat'l team assistant coach

When word came out that Aiza Maizo-Pontillas will be cut from the women's national volleyball team, fans erupted into furor online in support of the veteran southpaw spiker.

Her subsequent appointment as assistant coach and reserve player came as a welcome development, but Pontillas admitted that she was surprised by the decision of the coaching staff to include her in the SEA Games-bound squad.

"Nagulat ako. Hindi ko nga in-expect na makakasama ako sa team," said the former University of Santo Tomas star after the national team's practice on Tuesday.

Pontillas was selected as a member of the 13-woman pool, but the Southeast Asian Games lineup ultimately had to be trimmed down to 12.

Her exclusion in the roster was confirmed when the Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas Inc. announced the final list, which included Alyssa Valdez, Jaja Santiago, Dindin Santiago-Manabat, Rachel Anne Daquis, Gretchel Soltones, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Rhea Dimaculangan, Maika Ortiz, Aby Maraño, Denden Lazaro, Jia Morado, and Bea de Leon.

LVPI president Joey Romasanta, however, said that Pontillas will be part of the delegation flying to Singapore for the Southeast Asian Games as a reserve in case one of the players gets injured or falls ill prior to the tournament.

She will also sit on the bench as one of the team's assistant coaches, but Pontillas said she is still uncertain what will be her contribution to the coaching staff.

"Hindi ko pa alam talaga," said Pontillas, who has been coaching San Beda College's women's volleyball team since last year.

She said that she might take Manabat under her wing and lend her extensive experience in the utility position in order to convert the 6-foot-2 middle blocker as an opposite hitter.

"Sana mai-share ko nga kay Dindin," she said. "Siya nga daw 'yung gagawing opposite dahil matangkad nga daw siya." - RAF, GMA News