MANILA, Philippines -- The Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas, Inc. (LVPI) is optimistic of the country's chances in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games after the country's best players turned out in droves during tryouts for the national team.

LVPI president Peter Cayco said national coaches Shaq Delos Santos (women’s) and Dante Alinsunurin (men’s) now have a "good problem" at their disposal in the wake of the large number of players who showed up and signified certified their intentions to play for flag and country.

“The two-day tryouts for the women’s national team was very good. All the players we were expecting arrived and attended the tryouts,” said Cayco.

“Now for the men’s volleyball team tryouts, nagmukhang miniscule 'yung sa women’s because a total of 85 attended the tryouts for the men’s volleyball team. We’re very happy, the LVPI is very happy.”

The number of players that showed up gives the LVPI renewed confidence of at least winning a medal in the SEA Games, scheduled for November 30 to December 11.

“Podium finish 'yan for the men’s and women’s. Kulay na lang ang pag-uusapan,” announced Cayco at the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum on Tuesday at the Tapa King Restaurant at Farmers Plaza in Cubao.

“But we’re confident kami na podium finish,” added the LVPI president.

• READ: LVPI set to reveal national team pool members

Cayco mentioned powerhouse Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam to crowd out the host country for the podium finish.

The last time a Philippine volleyball team won a medal in the SEA Games was in 2005 when the country also hosted the biennial meet.

The LVPI is leaving nothing to chance anew with the multi-sports event to be held here again after 14 years.

A similar team will also be formed in beach volleyball competitions, two men’s and two women’s squads.

“Yung beach volleyball ngayon pa lang kami magmi-meet for the coaching staff selection,” said Cayco. “Sana podium din, although mas confident ako sa indoor kasi nakikita ko at naa-assess namin ng maayos. 'Yung beach volleyball siguro after the tryouts maybe we can give you the fearless forecast.”

Tryouts for the beach volleyball teams will be made in two weeks’ time after the coaching staff is chosen.

Meanwhile, the list of the 20-man pool for both the men’s and women’s national teams shall be submitted by the coaching staff to the LVPI anytime this week, according to Cayco.

“I don’t want to pre-empt the coaching staff, but I think what they saw, 'yung wish list nila nandun both in the women’s and the men’s team,” he said.

For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.