By Adrian Stewart Co
Bacolodnon Angel Canino of De La Salle University has begged off from participating in the national women’s indoor volleyball team tryout slated to start today at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone in Zambales.
The 5-foot-11 Canino was forced to forego the invite extended by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) due to the current COVID-19 pandemic situation, according to her mother Sol Canino.
“Kahit mabigat po sa loob namin na hadlangan sa ngayon na mgkaroon ng chance si Angel sa national women’s volleyball team but we need to prioritize her safety,” Sol wrote on her Twitter account.
“Playing for the country is Angel’s biggest dream but for now it has to wait. Thank you (PNVF president) Tatz (Suzara) and PNVF for inviting Angel. Our heart is full of pride,” she added.
The 17-year-old Canino has previously suited up for the national women’s volleyball team as part of the U-23 squad in the 2019 Thailand Open Sealect Tuna Championships.
Ilongga Maria Megan Gumban of University of Santo Tomas Junior Tigresses will also skip the tryout for the women’s juniors beach volleyball as she remained in her hometown in Pavia.
“Unfortunately, Emem (Gumban) will not make it to the tryout,” according to national women’s beach volleyball head coach Paul Jan Doloiras, who also recruited Gumban to UST.
Guimarasnon Jovelyn Gonzaga, for her part, was also iffy for the national women’s beach volleyball tryouts as her participation will depend on her schedule with her Philippine Army duty.
Meanwhile, Western Visayas-based volleybelles who will join the tryouts are Ilongga middle blocker Abigail Maraño and Aklanon middle blocker Dell Palomata for women’s indoor volleyball and Bacolodnons Jian Salarzon and Leo Ordiales in men’s indoor.
Negrenses Bernadeth Pons, Alexa Polidario, Erjane Magdato, and Jennifer Cosas and Ilonggas Jackie Estoquia, DM Demontano and Princess Robles will also tryout in women’s beach volleyball same with Negrenses Alexander Cabatuan and Jay Rack Dela Noche in men’s beach volleyball./ASC, WDJ