Why weren't Alyssa Valdez, Jia Morado included in the national team pool? PNVF explains

The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) finally cleared the air on why the likes of Alyssa Valdez and Jia Morado were excluded from the national team pool assembled for the Asian Women's Club Volleyball Championship next month.

Brazilian consultant Jorge Edson Souza de Brito explained that the need for younger and taller players was a big factor in the selection process for the tournament.

"I think that I need fresh players, younger and taller," Souza de Brito said during an interview on the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum Tuesday.

"As of this time, I think you have here [in the pool] all the best players."

The federation is tipped to send three national teams—two for women and one for men—in the Asian club tilt set to be hosted by Thailand from October 1 to 15.

The women's squad will be bannered by two teams, the Team Rebisco, which will be led by Souza de Brito, and the Team Choco Mucho, which head coach Odjie Mamon will lead.

Both teams are composed of 12 players each but fans were quick to notice that neither had Valdez, 28, and Morado, 26—both of whom represented the Philippines in the past including the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

Souza de Brito said that while he understands the clamor from the fans, he noted that they should also understand that they did what they had to do for the interest of the national team.

"It’s good that everyone has has an access to social media but it’s not where I made my decision [from]," said the Brazilian mentor. "I respect them but we’re always trying our best for the national team. I think we’ve taken the best decision for now."

Sans Valdez and Morado, the national team will be skippered by Aby Maraño (Team Rebisco) and Iris Tolenada (Team Choco Mucho).

Maraño will be joined by Eya Laure, Jema Galanza, Faith Nisperos, Dindin Santiago-Manabat, Mhicaela Belen, Imee Hernandez, Ivy Lacsina, Rhea Dimaculangan, Kamille Cal, Jennifer Nierva, and Bernadette Pepito.

Meanwhile, Kalei Mau, MJ Phillips, Tin Tiamzon, Kat Tolentino, Mylene Paat, Kianna Dy, Ria Meneses, Majoy Baron, Dell Palomata, Deanna Wong, and Dawn Macandili will join Tolenada.

"When we learned that two teams will be sent and we have to divide the teams, I recommended and urged them to let the young players stay in one team, who will be the future core of the team, and beef them up with some veteran players," added Mamon.

PNVF president Ramon "Tats" Suzara also called for support from the community, regardless of who composes the national team.

"To the volleyball community, let us support our national team, whoever they are. I made an example in one of my interviews a few days ago that in the PBA, when some stars were not chosen for the national team, they would still be there to support," he said.

"I need your support. This is not an overnight success, it takes years to have a good national team."

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA News