ALYSSA Valdez and Myla Pablo led the brightest stars in the Premier Volleyball League All-Star Game even as Ateneo held out its players from the match on Saturday at the Arena in San Juan City.
Team Red led by Pablo and Jia Morado and coached by Oliver Almadro battled Team Blue bannered by Valdez and coached by Jerry Yee.
Bea De Leon, Kat Tolentino and Vanie Gandler of Team Red and Dani Ravena and Deanna Wong of Team Blue joined the meet and greet and fun games with the fans but sat out the All-Star match.
Lady Eagles coach Oliver Almadro said that Ateneo didn’t allow the players to play because it’s too risky with UAAP Season 81 opening on Feb. 16.
Maddie Madayag of Team Blue was not in the venue to work on her thesis, while Isa Molde of UP also did not attend the All-Star festivities, due to a shoulder injury.
Set to play for UST in the UAAP, Dimdim Pacres saw action in the All Star, along with Adamson’s Joy Dacoron and Thang Ponce.
“It's an admin decision. Of course, ayaw naman sana natin na di makalaro. Pero, UAAP na next week,” said Almadro.
“Ayaw din namin ipaisip sa players na petiks lang kasi All-Star. This is PVL All-Stars, kailangan quality. Hirap naman sabihin na laro kayo pero kaunti lang 'yung ibigay niyo. Hindi namin tinuturo sa players. Nandoon na rin 'yung safety.”
Almadro insisted that the Lady Eagles are in full support of the PVL All-Star which benefits Hero Foundation, that’s why Tolentino, De Leon, Gandler, Wong and Ravena still joined the activities.
“Sinabi namin na they will be part of this All-Star in the meet-and-greet, parlor games and everything else,” Almadro said. “It just so happened na UAAP na. If this happened noong December, ibang usapan. That's why we're very sorry.”
“Si Maddie kasi may thesis siya. Matagal nang may naka-set na appointment for today. Graduating, mahirap eh. I know naman the PVL will understand,” he added.
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