No 'shoo-ins' for Philippine volleyball squads

MANILA, Philippines – There will be no shoo-ins for the Philippine men’s and women’s volleyball teams for the 30th Southeast Asian Games in November.

Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas, Inc. (LVPI) president Peter Cayco made this strong assurance during last Tuesday's PSA Forum at Tapa King in Cubao.

“I cannot say that there are shoo-ins,” said Cayco.

The LVPI conducted the initial tryouts for both teams dreaming of a podium finish in the biennial event which the country is hosting for the fourth time.

The men’s tryout held over the weekend drew a total of 85 players while the women’s tryout staged last month had 40 attendees.

Cayco did not name names when asked if he has any "shoo-ins" in mind.

“What I can say is that all the players we were expecting to see arrived. It’s now up to the coaching staff to prune the number,” added Cayco.

“It’s a good problem to have,” he said.

The LVPI head expects the numbers to go down to 20 this week. Then training begins until the final selection is announced.

Dante Alinsunurin will coach the men’s team while Shaq delos Santos will handle the women’s squad.

Cayco said he has no hand in the final selection.

“I don’t meddle with the final selection,” said Cayco, crossing his fingers regarding a podium finish for both teams.

The women’s squad will try to end a long medal drought in the SEA Games.

The last time the Filipina spikers won a medal in the SEA Games was in 2005, at home, when it snared a bronze. The last gold medal came in 1993.

“It can be done this time,” said Cayco.

That is an assurance.