I’ve been holding out my anger for the past few days. I admit I became a fan of volleyball just recently. But now, I love watching it more than basketball. That’s why I’m ranting right now about what’s happening with the national team.
For UAAP, I am, of course, always rooting for the UST Lady Tigresses. But I am not the type to worship them like they are the ones who rule the volleyball scene. I’m not what they call a fantard.
This year, a lot of volleyball competitions have been happening that’s why last year, Philippine Volleyball Federation (PVF) had their national team try-outs and had already chosen the candidates for the final line-up. Unfortunately, Philippines must be synonymous to corruption because even national teams for different sports are subjected to corruption.
The national volleyball program today is just fucked up. PVF dissolved and was replaced by Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas, Inc. (LVPI). It’s hard to dismiss the obvious that they are doing this for fame and riches. You already have a national team pool, why would you not recognize it? The SEA Games is coming up and the national team has been hounded by a lot of issues. First, the coach already had the best of the best players in his lineup. And two weeks before they leave for Singapore, he started changing the lineup.
I get it that Aiza Maizo, the best utility spiker alongside Jovelyn Gonzaga, is not being replaced by Bea de Leon in her position but as a middle blocker. But, as everyone is ranting about, why would you replace the best of the best with someone whose position is already being played by most in the team? You already have Maika Ortiz, Dindin Santiago-Manabat, and Aby Maraño. I think it would be okay for me if de Leon replaces Ortiz. But to remove Aiza Maizo who is the best in her position? I don’t even have a problem with Gonzaga because she really stepped up. She and Maizo go hand-in-hand together. There’s no need to convert Manabat because you already have legit utility spikers. It’s hard not to think there’s something fishy going on behind the scenes. At first, they wanted to replace Maraño with de Leon but when Aby dedicated her time for SEAG they tried to remove Maizo in favor of de Leon. I mean, dude, what the fuck? I get that she has height but I don’t think it’s her time yet. She’s just an incoming sophomore and she will blossom more (although I’m not really a fan of her; she reminds me of Chris Bosh, hehe). Honestly, I’m not a fan of her team (ADMU). Maybe because of their fans who are making them look bad. Valdez is a good player but the only player I can stand from their team is Julia Morado. Her setting skills are awesome. If I were de Leon, I would have the delicadeza to back out from the team and will improve more to be able to join again the national team in the future.
But the root cause of this problem are the people behind the players. The coah, the members of the organization members, and their PR people. Why would you keep PR people who personally attacks a player? That is very uncalled for and very unethical! Remember the name Julius Manicad. He should be sued for libel because of his tweets and attacks on Maizo. That was such a low blow and I don’t even think the organization is going to do something about him. Who is he in the first place, anyway? He’s not an influencer and definitely not an opinion leader because most people are against him. LVPI should do something as soon as possible because they really are in a bad position right now. Making Maizo the assistant coach is not a damage control. But what do you expect, poor decision-making skills from a poorly-organized sports org. Always doing something for their sake and not even for the country.
I want to cheer for the Philippines in the upcoming SEAG but I just loathe everyone who’s controlling the team. Good luck to the team, anyway. And to de Leon, show everyone you deserve that spot.