SETTER Jia Morado and libero Denden Lazaro will miss the VTV Invitational Cup women's volleyball tournament set in Vietnam from July 25 to August 1 due to varying reasons
Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas, Inc. secretary-general Ricky Palou confirmed Morado, part of the Ateneo team that bagged back-to-back UAAP titles as well as the national teams that competed in the Asian U-23 and the Southeast Asian Games, will undergo surgery on her left knee.
"She has to undergo a minor operation on her knee and this will take her out of training for two to three months," said Palou on Tuesday during the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum at Shakey's Malate.
"Ito kasi ‘yung injury na niya. I think may aalisin lang na isang screw sa tuhod niya and ‘yung mga ligaments and muscles naman sa tuhod niya ay okay naman kaya minor lang ang operation," he added.
Lazaro needs to focus on her studies in medical school, Palou said.
Rachel Anne Daquis, another member of the national women's volleyball team which saw action in the SEA Games in Singapore, also risks skipping the Vietnam tournament due to a long-scheduled trip to Canada.
However, Palou is not completely ruling out Daquis as she is looking to rebook her flight to Canada.
"Actually si Denden medyo busy din kasi pumapasok siya. Si Rachel sinusubukan pa kung pwedeng ma-rebook na lang ang flight niya to Canada. Baka sakaling makasama pa siya," Palou said.
After some reports came that he was out as head coach, Roger Gorayeb, Palou said, will continue to call the shots for the team with Thai Tai Bundit acting as his deputy.
Alyssa Valdez, Abigail Marano, skipper Jovelyn Gonzaga and Maika Ortiz have confirmed their intention to play. But other members of the SEA Games team have yet to do so, Palou said.
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