Philippine volleyball star Jaja Santiago led the 16 national team aspirants in the tryouts for the 2021 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games squad on Wednesday, April 28 at the Subic Gym.

A mix of veterans and promising collegiate players made it into the bubble after testing negative for COVID-19 via RT-PCR swab tests.

Santiago, who became the first Filipino volleyball player to earn an international pro title with the Ageo Medics in the Japan V. Cup, was joined by captain Aby Maraño and mainstays Majoy Baron, Mylene Paat, and Eya Laure.

Other invitees who attended were veterans Iris Tolenada, Ria Meneses, Dell Palomata, and collegiate hopefuls Kamille Cal, Mhicaela Belen, Ivy Lacsina, Alyssa Solomon, Jennifer Nierva, Faith Nisperos, Imee Hernandez, and Bernadette Pepito.

The women’s volleyball team tryouts were supervised by head coach Odjie Mamon.

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 16 players out of the 40 total invitees to the tryouts continued to observe health and safety protocols such as wearing of face masks.

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

Aside from possibly competing in the continental event, the national women’s volleyball team is aiming to land a podium finish in the 2021 SEA Games that will run from November 21 to December 2 in Hanoi, Vietnam.

The men’s volleyball tryouts are scheduled on Thursday and the beach volleyball tryouts are set on Friday. – Rappler.com