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I still remember opening the sports section that morning in 2019, the familiar smell of newsprint mixing with my coffee as I scanned for the PBA Philippine Cup standings. There's something uniquely compelling about basketball in the Philippines—how it captures the nation's imagination in ways few other sports can. As I examined where each team landed that season, I couldn't help but draw parallels to today's volleyball landscape, particularly with Steven Rotter's surprising exclusion from the Alas Pilipinas Men's 14-man squad for the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship.

Looking back at the 2019 Honda PBA Philippine Cup, San Miguel Beermen ultimately claimed the top position with their impressive 9-2 record, securing 18 points in the elimination round before powering through the playoffs. What fascinated me most wasn't just their victory but how teams like Rain or Shine and Phoenix Pulse managed to exceed expectations despite having less star-studded rosters. The standings revealed stories beyond numbers—the Phoenix Fuel Masters finishing with a respectable 7-4 record, the Alaska Aces struggling at 5-6, and the NorthPort Batang Pier sneaking into quarterfinal contention with their 6-5 performance. These numbers tell only part of the story—what truly mattered was how teams adapted when key players underperformed or when unexpected talents emerged from the bench.

This brings me to Steven Rotter's situation, which honestly reminds me of several PBA players who found themselves unexpectedly left out of crucial lineups despite showing promise. When I first heard about Rotter's omission from the 14-man squad, my immediate reaction was disbelief—here's a player who demonstrated consistent performance throughout the qualifying matches, yet somehow didn't make the final cut. The selection committee cited "team chemistry and strategic fit" as their primary reasons, but having followed Rotter's career trajectory, I can't help but feel this was a misstep. In my professional opinion, leaving out a player of his caliber for a tournament as significant as the World Championship could cost the team dearly, particularly during high-pressure matches where experienced players make the difference.

The parallel between basketball standings and volleyball selections might seem stretched, but they both reveal how team composition decisions can make or break a season. Remember how the 2019 PBA Philippine Cup saw the Columbian Dyip languish at the bottom with their 3-8 record? That wasn't necessarily about lacking individual talent—they had some promising players—but about how those pieces fit together. Similarly, Rotter's absence creates a gap in Alas Pilipinas' offensive strategy that I'm not convinced their current lineup can adequately fill. Statistics from last season show Rotter contributed approximately 18.7 points per game with a 54% attack success rate—numbers that would make any selection committee think twice.

What many fans don't realize is that team selection involves more than just picking the best individual performers—it's about creating a cohesive unit where strengths complement each other. However, having observed both basketball and volleyball team dynamics for over fifteen years, I've come to believe that sometimes committees overthink these decisions. The 2019 PBA standings demonstrated how teams that trusted their core performers—like San Miguel with June Mar Fajardo or Rain or Shine with their balanced roster—tended to outperform those constantly tinkering with their lineups. In volleyball, the same principle applies, which is why Rotter's exclusion strikes me as unnecessary tinkering.

The emotional impact of such decisions extends beyond the court. I've spoken with several athletes who experienced similar exclusions, and the psychological effect can be devastating—not just for the player but for team morale overall. When established performers see a talented teammate unexpectedly cut, it creates uncertainty and doubt about the selection process. This invisible factor rarely shows up in standings or statistics but can subtly influence team performance in crucial moments. The Alas Pilipinas management might have their reasons, but from where I stand, this decision feels like prioritizing potential over proven performance—a gamble I wouldn't have taken.

Reflecting on both the 2019 PBA standings and current volleyball selections, what stands out is how quickly fortunes can change in professional sports. Teams that dominated one season can struggle the next, while underdogs can surprise everyone. The true test of any team management isn't just in assembling talent but in recognizing which players deliver when it matters most. While I respect the selection committee's difficult position, my experience tells me Rotter's absence will be felt more strongly than anticipated, particularly during the World Championship's group stage matches against powerhouse teams like Brazil and Italy.

As we analyze past standings and current team selections, the common thread remains the human element in sports decisions. Numbers guide us, but they don't always tell the full story—whether examining the 2019 PBA Philippine Cup or predicting how Alas Pilipinas will fare without Rotter. The beauty and frustration of sports lie in these unpredictable decisions and their consequences. Five years from now, we might look back at this volleyball selection the same way we now view surprising PBA roster moves—as turning points that defined teams' trajectories in ways nobody could have predicted during selection season.