Push Admin

Women's volleyball: National pool inclusion shocks Maddie Madayag, Kat Tolentino

Article (news)

Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/sports/03/15/ateneo-031517.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">Ateneo&#x27;s Maddie Madayag (right) and Kat Tolentino were surprised to have been selected to the national team pool. <cite>Arvin Lim, ABS-CBN Sports</cite></div></figcaption></figure></div>MANILA, Philippines — Ateneo&#x27;s Kat Tolentino and Maddie Madayag were genuinely shocked to have been included in the 25-member pool for the women&#x27;s national volleyball team, given that neither player even attended tryouts.None of the Ateneo players was able to attend tryouts in Metro Manila scheduled on January 28, 29, and 31, as it was too close to the opening of the UAAP. The Lady Eagles played on opening day, February 4.Madayag and Tolentino, along with Ateneo teammate Jia Morado and a handful of other UAAP players, were then invited to a special March 12 tryout for UAAP and NCAA players, but they did not attend as well. Only San Sebastian star Grethcel Soltones showed up at the Arellano gym that Sunday.Nevertheless, Madayag and Tolentino made the cut, &quot;handpicked&quot; by national team coach Francis Vicente. Two other players who were invited to the special tryout — La Salle&#x27;s Kianna Dy and Dawn Macandili — were also included, after both players expressed their desire to join the pool in a message to Vicente.For Madayag and Tolentino, however, their inclusion to the national team pool was a surprise.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/uaap/news/2017/03/15/bulldogs-secure-least-semis-spot-playoff-23280">READ: Bulldogs secure at least a semis spot playoff</a></li></ul>&quot;I was surprised, because me and Kat didn&#x27;t really know that we were part of the selection. We were surprised na biglang there was an article out na we were part of the pool. Sobrang nagulat ako,&quot; Madayag said.Tolentino echoed her teammate&#x27;s sentiment.&quot;I was super shocked, because I was just focused on the UAAP. I didn&#x27;t really think that was an option for me yet,&quot; said the Fil-Canadian, who is playing in her first collegiate season after recovering from a series of knee injuries.&quot;I didn&#x27;t try out. I didn&#x27;t really know about the whole thing. There was a tryout in Davao, right?&quot; she asked. &quot;But of course, I didn&#x27;t go to that. I don&#x27;t really know how it works, and to be honest, I really don&#x27;t know how I got picked.&quot;Though surprised and even a little confused about the whole process, the 6-foot-2 Tolentino is also grateful to have been recognized and selected, especially as this is the first time that most fans and coaches have seen her play.&quot;It&#x27;s super shocking for me, just because I know there are so many good players ahead of me right now — not just in the UAAP, but outside of the UAAP. I&#x27;m super thankful that they recognized me and that I&#x27;m included in the pool,&quot; she said.However, neither player would commit to joining the national team in training as of now.&quot;UAAP pa, so I&#x27;m not really sure,&quot; Madayag said. &quot;We want to finish this season first.&quot;Tolentino added: &quot;I&#x27;m not really sure. I really don&#x27;t know all the details. But that would be an interesting experience.&quot;Ateneo team officials, led by team manager Tony Boy Liao, also made it clear that the players would not be allowed to join the national team in training as long as the UAAP is ongoing.(For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/">ABS-CBN Sports website.</a>)

The Ateneo pair were genuinely shocked to be included in the 25-member pool for the women's national volleyball team, given that neither of them attended the tryouts.

The Ateneo pair were genuinely shocked to be included in the 25-member pool for the women's national volleyball team, given that neither of them attended the tryouts.

Women's volleyball: National pool inclusion shocks Maddie Madayag, Kat Tolentino

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

Sports

Women's volleyball: National pool inclusion shocks Maddie Madayag, Kat Tolentino

Camille B. Naredo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Mar 15, 2017 08:32 PM PHT

Read More:

UAAP

UAAP Season 79

Ateneo Lady Eagles

Kat Tolentino

Maddie Madayag

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.