Volleybelles who should be playing in the Philippine Super Liga

UPDATED

While I await the photos taken from the Philippine Super Liga kick-off party and write about that incredible experience, I’d like to address something for all the fans to know about.

I get a lot of queries on the whereabouts of Rachel Anne Daquis, Charlene Cruz, Manilla Santos, Maricar Nepomuceno and Rubie de Leon and why they are not on a PSL line-up. I agree with you all: they should be in some squad’s roster. But there’s a perfectly logical explanation why they won’t be seeing action in the upcoming PSL Invitational which begins on July 7 at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

Daquis is presently in Hanover, Germany where she is visiting her mother. It is a yearly pilgrimage the Far Eastern University (FEU) graduate undergoes and she is slated to return to the Philippines allegedly sometime in August. Cruz is presently in the United States and will return to the Philippines at the end of June—making it virtually impossible for the UAAP multi-titlist to suit up for any team. After having dinner with practically the entire De La Salle University (DLSU) alumni after the party, I learned from Cignal HD center Michelle Datuin that Santos is suffering from several injuries surrounding her back and legs. She is presently getting treatment and should be fine in a few months. Nepomuceno is presently out of commission and should be able to hit the courts again early next year. De Leon has decided to take a breather from competitive volleyball to rest her ailing right knee and concentrate on her new job as a member of the coaching staff in Poveda.

Also, seniors and ultra seniors such as Abigail Maraño, Wensh Tiu, Din-Din Santiago and (I just learned during the party) Honey Royce Tubino have not been allowed by their respective schools to participate in the PSL Invitational. It is their educational institutions' prerogative and must be respected—I think I already wrote that.

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That being said, I’m still flooded with several names; some of which actually also makes me scratch my head. Several of the players who sort of disappeared after their collegiate careers have thankfully found spots in rosters here such as Carla Llaguno (DLSU-PCSO), Des Patilano (Adamson-PLDT), Kara Acevedo (Ateneo-Petron) and Venus Bernal (UST-Cignal). But there are about—in my estimation—forty names out there that deserve a shot at this league. But since there are only six teams and so little time to get the word out, they may have to wait until October when the PSL Open commences.

For now let’s look at some of the names I collated and wonder. I’ll start off with the honourable-mentions:

10. Anne Remulla (DLSU)—I mean why not, right? She was the face of DLSU when the Shakey’s V-League started in 2004 and has recently had surgery to repair torn ligaments in her knee. Wait, we need her in the broadcast team. Let ate Ivy do her thing.

9. Abby Praca (SWU)—she just happened to be on a weak team during her last stint here, but she has the length and timing to make a difference in the frontline.

8. Rica Enclona (CSB)—how about a libero who not only has skills but also good looks? That can be an additional marketing value for any team.

7. Sheryl June "Beauty" Denila (USLS)—while we’re on the subject of marketability, how about this hard-hitting Negrense who is not only an energizer bunny off the bench, but a great locker room presence?

6. Monique Tiangco (FEU/NU/DLS-D)—she can’t be in school forever.

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5. Cindy Velasquez (CSB)—height is might in volleyball, and I’m quite certain she hasn’t been out of circulation that long.

4. Michelle Anne Simbajon (USJ-R)—setters are hard to come by and here’s a gritty one right here. This former national youth team member may be able to help a quick and dynamic offense.

3. Charisse Ancheta (SSC-R)—Chang was one of the best setters in the country at one point. She might still have the chops to be that again. Just look at PCSO's Chi Saet.

2. Sherilyn Carillo (LPU)—remember her? She’s a multi-MVP winner in the WNCAA and her union with Beverly Boto (retired) and Dahlia Cruz (now playing for Army) made them among the most feared trios in all of women’s volleyball. It’s only been four years.

1. Anna Camille Abanto (FEU)—she was primed to take home a bunch of MVP awards during her heyday with the Lady Tamaraws, but something made her just fade away. We’ll need a search party to find this one.

Here are my top ten names who MUST be in a PSL line-up:

10. Kiteh Rosale (UE)—she can score a bunch of points in a staggering blitz. Her defense is also amazing. Let’s just compare her to a young Charles Barkley. You see where I’m going with this.

9. Cherry May Vivas (FEU/NU)—where the heck is this young lady? She’s got the length, the talent and the ability to be a game-changer. Many say she doesn’t have her head screwed on right. I disagree. Placed in the correct environment with a bunch of more mature players, Mumay can be a factor.

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8. South Ramos (UP)—I gotta include a Lady Maroon here, right? In fact, all the teams should start looking at why no one from UP is on any line-up. South is six feet tall and has a high volleyball intelligence. And once someone recruits her, let’s also give a look at people like Carmela Lopez, Pau Genido, Cathy Barcelon and Michiko Castañeda as well. Go UP!

7. Cherry Rose Macatangay (AdU)—fine, she’s been injured a while and may never get back to the playing form that made her one of the most dominant volleybelles in the 1990’s, but she was still kicking young butt until about a year ago. I’d sign her just because of the veteran presence she is and her wisdom as a leader would be invaluable.

6. Mary Jane Pepito (SSC-R)—she may already have three children, but she could still patrol the floor—as evidenced by her short comeback in 2011. The PSL is already showcasing four of the five best liberos EVER so why not yank that fifth one out of her self-imposed hiatus? This can be done.

5. Rysabelle Devanadera (SSC-R)—we mentioned Ancheta and Pepito, how about the once-upon-a-time quickest Quicker in the land? Sasa confided to me that she really wants to play, except that she has a work schedule to contend with. I believe if someone as efficient as her is made available, teams might even adjust their practices to accommodate her. It’s just a matter of being resourceful, I guess.

4. Janet Serafica (AdU)—she still can set like it’s no one’s business. Her drop ball is still one of the deadliest weapons in the game. We all know that she has enlisted for military service, but maybe she can find a way to juggle her duties to her country with playing the sport that molded her. Nevertheless, Janet is still one of the best setters in the country, and perhaps among the top ten all-time.

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3. Jamenea Ferrer (AdMU)—Dzi Gervacio is now in law school while A Nacachi has called it quits. Jem just wants to take a break from it all. She can be coaxed into playing again very soon. If she watches that her blood sisters Fille Cainglet and Gretchen Ho are still strutting their wares on the court with the same intensity as in their college days, Jem just might be inspired enough to hasten her time away from the game.

2. Suzanne Roces (UE)—this is one of the biggest mysteries yet. I don’t know the full story why “Kuya” has not landed a roster spot, but Su is one of the best all-around talents available and it wouldn’t surprise me that she’s already found a team while I was busy writing this. She is a multi-position star and a multi-MVP recipient. She would be the most deserving on this list if not for…

1. Melissa Gohing (DLSU)—she was a member of four UAAP championships. Many of her teammates credit her efforts for making that happen. This is one libero who readily gets the job done and (if the rumours are to be believed) could have actually landed a spot on Petron already by now. But if Liss goes unsigned, then it would be total waste of talent. She’s also a great locker room presence and being the gung-ho floor leader she is, Liss is definitely an asset waiting to find a squad to boost.

The beauty of women’s volleyball in the country is there are so many opportunities in the horizon for these and several more young ladies I failed to make a case for here. The Shakey’s V-League reopens in August. The PSL Open will be in October. Who knows? Maybe after all of this, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) may actually consider a national team formed herein to be gold medal ready for the 2013 Myanmar SEA Games and the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) might just concur. This renaissance is only entering a new stage, with several more to come.

Let’s continuing being positive about what progress can be attained through all of this, and maybe these “free agents” might just find themselves in uniform again sooner rather than later.

But what a great time it is for women’s volleyball in the Philippines. I can’t wait to turn to the next page.

Update: Melissa Gohing has signed with the Petron Lady Boosters today (July 5) and will be reuinted with Palarong Pambansang teammate Fille Cainglet for the first time in five years. Follow that story in my next article. Congratulations, Liss!

Follow Noel Zarate on Twitter (@NoelZarate) and email sportztackle@yahoo.com