National team captain Aby Maraño relished the moment she was able to play again with the country’s top volleyball players during the first day of the tryouts held in Subic.

The middle blocker bared that she “felt safe” throughout the tryout with health and safety protocols in place, but hopes that she’ll be able to hug and high five her teammates in the future.

“I felt safe during the entire event cause everyone is disciplined enough to follow the safety guidelines. Though nakakamiss makipag-apir after making an awesome score pero sige lang (Though I miss high-fiving my teammates after making an awesome score), let’s pray for that day where we can be able to make a high five or hug each other again,” wrote Maraño on Instagram.

Out of the 40 invited, only 16 national team aspirants – including Jaja Santiago, Majoy Baron Mylene Paat, and Eya Laure – attended the tryouts.

Several national team players failed to make it to the tryouts including Kalei Mau – who is pursuing a professional volleyball stint in Puerto Rico – Alyssa Valdez, and Jia Morado.

Filipino-American hitter MJ Phillips couldn’t join the tryouts either as she came in close contact with a Sta. Lucia staff member who tested positive for COVID-19.

The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) scheduled a national team tryout in order to form the 2021 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games squad that will see action in Hanoi, Vietnam from November 21 to December 2.

PNVF president Ramon “Tats” Suzara also revealed that the country is vying for hosting rights for the Asian Women’s Championships in August.

The tryouts for the men’s indoor team and the beach volleyball squads kicked off on Thursday, April 29.

The athletes will leave Subic on Friday, April 30, aboard quarantined buses when the tryouts conclude. – Rappler.com

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