After a post urging volleyball fans to boycott Ateneo, La Salle and NU for not allowing their top players to join the national team, I received several tweets from Lady Ateneo Eagles. The tweets explain that Alyssa Valdez turned down the invitation to be a part of the national team due to academics. But surprisingly, Valdez might play in at least three local tournaments in succession. She is currently playing in Shakey's VLeague and will play in UAAP and Uni-Games.
But in fairness to Valdez, her desire to help the national team cannot be questioned. According to my source, Valdez tried out for the Bomberinas under Coach Vangie and Doc Ian. But my source revealed that Ateneo stepped into the picture and Valdez never appeared for the Bomberinas again.
NU, on the other hand, is an interesting case. Dindin and Jaja Santiago were allowed to be a part of Bomberinas under Coach Vangie and Doc Ian. But under a new set of PVF officers, NU suddenly does not lend its two tall and talented players to the national team.
La Salle, true to form, did not lend Mika Reyes to the national team. In fact, Coach Ramil likewise turned down the post of head coach to the national team according to my source. La Salle, for its part, is merely being consistent of prioritizing its UAAP bid than any other international tournament that will bring honor to the country.
I am deeply saddened that these schools failed to answer the challenge to serve one's country through sports. Worse, these schools seem to teach their players that loyalty to their schools supersedes loyalty to one's country. What values are these schools teaching their players ?
Hi, writer. I understand where you're coming from but I think your discernment on the matter is disjointedly maudlin & premature. There are potentially many other players who have equal or greater skills than those players you have mentioned in your write-up. Also, the loyalty to one's country you pertained to, is far-stretched. Are the schools so selfish & so wrong for trying to protect the academic interests of their students? We could give more meaningful honor and purposeful pride to our country if we emerge as productive & competent citizens in the future. Although I admire your fervent passion to nationalism, I have to shake my head with your words. You write these things without contributing anything of substance to the larger setting of the state.
ReplyDeleteDear Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment.
You mentioned about other players. Who are the other players who stand above 6'2'' like the Santiago sisters ? Physically, there are no other players like those two. You also mentioned about the academic priority of these players. But like I said before, Valdez is participating in three tournaments one after the other. That to me, is not prioritizing studies.
The practice of schools of not allowing their students to play for the national team must stop. Incidentally, Japan has a collegiate and high school player in its volleyball team. Why can't the Philippine team do the same ?
Keep on reading.
EFD