ILAGAN — Gel Cayuna suited up for Nxled, while Fifi Sharma and Pangs Panaga watched from the sidelines in street clothes, putting the spotlight on the status of the three Alas Pilipinas pool members.
PVL control committee chairman Sherwin Malonzo clarified that the league's directive remained in effect for the preseason PVL on Tour, stressing that players on the pool are expected to prioritize the national team.
READ: No Alas players in 'PVL on Tour' as new rules come into play
“During our team managers' meeting, sinabi ko naman na those players who are part of the national team, focus sila sa national team. Kung kasama sila dito, if you'll notice, ‘di naman sila talaga naglaro,” Malonzo told SPIN.ph.
League policy introduced to align with the Philippines' buildup for the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya this September now states that Alas pool players may only suit up if they are not included in the official delegation.
While Sharma and Panaga stayed in street clothes and did not see action for Akari and Creamline, respectively, Cayuna came off the bench for the Chameleons, marking her debut for the franchise following Cignal's leave of absence earlier this year.
The veteran setter finished with 22 excellent sets and three points in their 18-25, 23-25, 25-16, 19-25 loss to the Cool Smashers on Wednesday.
Not with Alas this time?
Malonzo, however, did say that some players may have already declined being part of the Alas pool for now - but stopping short of disclosing names.
“Hindi ko kabisado lahat ng status, pero ‘yung iba yata, parang nag-decline. ‘Yung pag-decline, ibang usapan. ‘Yung iba naman na hindi nag-decline, alam ko hindi naman naglaro rin," he said.
“Pero like I said, nu’ng team managers' meeting, in-encourage ko sila to focus on the national team.”
SPIN.ph first reported that Cayuna and Panaga have both begged off from the national team and will therefore see action for their respective clubs. It has yet to be confirmed whether the same is true as well for Sharma.
According to the Philippine Olympic Committee, which is overseeing Alas preparations for the upcoming Asiad, the PVL players who have already reported to national team training are Cool Smashers Jia de Guzman and Jen Nierva, Chargers Mars Alba and Justine Jazareno, PLDT's Dell Palomata, ZUS Coffee's Thea Gagate, and the Capital1 trio of Bella Belen, Vanie Gandler, and Erika Santos.
The POC also noted that several invitees have yet to report, with the list still including Sharma and Cayuna, along with High Speed Hitter Alleiah Malaluan, who continues to recover from a knee injury.
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