ALAS Pilipinas has no set player pool for the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games this December.
The PNVF released an initial 23-player pool weeks ago, but that has since been discarded following a series of player overhauls.
READ: Who else should be called up to Alas Women SEAG pool?
“Wala pa. None yet,” said PVL president Ricky Palou, when asked about the list of players vying for the national team.
“We have not received the roster of which players are in the pool. I asked them (PNVF) to submit it to us and we’re waiting for them.”
Asked on why the initial pool was effectively discarded, Palou pointed out how there were one too many changes in the squad due to uncertainties on who are actually available.
“Nagpalit ulit sila eh. They removed some, they added some,” he explained.
“I understand [Thea] Gagate is not in the pool, now pero in the first pool, nandun siya. May mga ganun na pinalitan sila.”
PVL's discretion
Following a meeting with PVL team owners, players called up to Alas can only join the national team once their respective clubs are eliminated from the ongoing Reinforced Conference.
That means that while their teams are still in the playoffs starting Nov. 20, they are required to stay with their PVL squads before being released to the Philippine pool.
Moreover, the decision to loan players to Alas rests entirely with the clubs. While the PVL will exert all efforts to make its players available, it will not compel any team to release them.
"It's up to them if they want to lend or not kasi the players are under contract with the PVL. Although we're trying to encourage the team owners na pahiram niya naman sa national team," detailed Palou.
"Sabi ko nga, kung manalo tayo, maganda para sa liga na 'yung mga players ng PVL, nagkamedalya sa SEA Games. But while we're not telling them, forcing them to lend their players, it's up to you, pero we're telling them na sana pahiram niyo naman."
While the men’s national team is already Taiwan-bound for their SEA Games training camp, Palou said it’s already 'too late' for Alas Women to follow suit, with the PVL set to wrap up on Nov. 30 and their flight to Thailand scheduled for the first week of December.
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