Valdez get green light

Alyssa Valdez and other Premier Volleyball League (PVL) stars are tipped to see action when the national women’s volleyball team competes in the second leg of the Asean Grand Prix at the Sta. Rosa Multi-Purpose Sports Complex starting this Friday.

LVPI president Joey Romasanta said Valdez was given clearance by her club — Creamline — to compete in the prestigious four-nation tourney that also serves as test event for the country’s hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

She, however, would miss the crucial match against Thailand on Saturday as she has to fly to Iloilo City to be with the Cool Smashers in an out-of-town match in the PVL Open Conference.

Aside from Valdez, also set to play on Friday against Vietnam and Sunday against Indonesia are Jia Morado of Creamline and Maddie Madayag of Choco Mucho while Jovelyn Gonzaga was given the clearance by PacificTown Army to play in all games.

“Alyssa, Jia and Maddie would be able to play on 4 and 6 October while Jovelyn can play in all games,” said Romasanta in a telephone conversation with Daily Tribune.

“We are trying to put up the strongest team possible because this will serve as a preview of the SEA Games.”

Romasanta said Jasmine Nabor and Gretchel Soltones of PLDT Home Fibr are also set to join the national squad, which is bidding to either match or surpass its bronze-medal finish in the first leg in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand two weeks ago.

Nabor serves as reliever of Morado while Soltones replaces Valdez against reigning champion Thailand.

They are also tipped to provide the firepower, especially with Kalei Mau and Mika Reyes and Alohi Robins-Hardy missing the three-day tourney.

Mau and Reyes are still nursing injuries while Robins-Hardy is having passport issues that would bar her from competing in the biennial meet.

“We will announce the full lineup after the technical meeting on Wednesday night,” Romasanta said.

“Right now, we’re trying to come up with the strongest team possible out of available players.”