WITH only team skipper Johnvic De Guzman assured of a spot in the men’s national volleyball squad, the pressure to make the 18-man roster has reached fever pitch as the remaining 24 look to boost their SEA Games in Malaysia when they compete in the Clash of Heroes volleyball tournament on May 15 in the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
National team mentor Sinfronio Acaylar said the fund-raising event, which will divide the 25-man pool into two teams, will serve as one of the bases of the coaches in trimming the pool down to 18 later this month.
Among those who are looking to make it to the national team are Cesafi stars Alden Dave Cabaron, John Kenneth Sarcena and John Eduard Carascal.
“My mindset is just to give my very best in the game,” said the 2015 Cesafi Most Valuable Player (MVP) Cabaron.
“What is needed is the perseverance on training, the commitment on the national team. We will just show our best because all of us can share or contribute here to the team,” Sarcena said.
“I don’t feel pressured because for me if it’s God’s plan that I can make it to the 18-man roster, I can definitely make it, but if it’s not, I will accept the result. I will do my very best this coming clash of heroes,” Carascal added.
Aside from the trio, other Cebuanos who are looking to earn a spot in the national team are siblings Rey and Relan Taneo of Liloan Cebu while three-time NCAA MVP Gretchel Soltones of Catmon hopes to make a solid impact in the star-studded women’s class which includes likely shoo-ins Alyssa Valdez, Rachel Anne Daquis and Kim Fajardo.