World volley tryouts lure PH stalwarts

THE COUNTRY’S top volleyball players are expected to take a crack at representing the Philippines in the sport’s biggest stage.

Cha Cruz, Aby Marano, Jaja Santiago, Jovelyn Gonzaga and Tina Salak are among those confirmed to take part in the tryouts for the FIVB Club World Women’s Championships.

Tryouts will be held Friday, 2 to 4 p.m., at Fil-Oil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Seven slots are on offer for the Filipino players, while seven more are reserved for foreign reinforcements.

The country is hosting the FIVB Worlds on Oct. 18 to 23, marking the first time the Philippines is hosting the prestigious meet featuring the best eight club teams in the world.

Successful aspirants will then be announced by the organizing Philippine Superliga which earlier said they will do so by giving golden tickets to each one of them.

“This is a rare opportunity for local players because not all host countries get to put up a team, now they have a chance to play against the best players of the best clubs in the world,” said PSL president Ramon “Tats” Suzara.

To better expose the Filipino players, Suzara said they plan to utilize PSL players to work in committees for the FIVB Worlds.

Among the teams seeing action are powerhouse Rexona Ades of Brazil, Bangkok Glass of Thailand, and Pomi Casalmaggiore of Italy which made it outright.