National team consultant explains exclusion of Valdez and Morado from pool

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

With the Philippine national squad for women’s volleyball already preparing to compete in the series of international tournaments, sports fans and critics noticed two of the biggest names missing in the lineup.

People were surprised to hear that multiple UAAP and PVL MVP and champion Alyssa Valdez and one of the greatest setters to ever grace the court, Jia Morado, were missing from the roster.

The PH national team decided not to include the PH team staples this time but defended their decision through national team consultant Jorge Souza de Brito during the Philippines Sportswriters Association Forum.

The legendary volleyball figure in Brazil said that they wanted a more youthful pool heading to their preparations for the international stints they will be joining.

“I needed some fresh players, younger and taller. For this time, I think we have here, in the team, all the best,” Souza de Brito said.

Souza de Brito and the rest of the coaching staff faced a lot of criticisms the moment they finalized the roster of the national team.

However, Souza de Brito and the rest of the coaching staff think they have the best available squad out there that can compete at the international level.

“We, all coaches, are always trying for the best of the national volleyball team. We’ve taken the best decision as of now,” Souza de Brito added.

They will have the chance to silence critics come the 2021 AVC Asian Women’s Club Volleyball Championship in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand in October.