Right on the first day of the Asian Senior Women’s Volleyball Championships, the Philippine Team will be in must-win mode.
Facing Hong Kong in their first match in Pool A, tomorrow at the Alonte Sports Arena, the Philippines can earn a spot in the quarterfinals of the regional tournament with a win. With their other pool-mate, Kazakhstan, seen as a bigger threat, clinching a win tomorrow before facing the Kazakhs on Friday will be pivotal.
“It’s a very important game for the Philippines especially if we want to enter the quarterfinals so we need to win against Hong Kong,” said National Team head coach Francis Vicente, Tuesday afternoon during the tournament’s press conference.
In recent competitions, Philippine teams have gotten the best of Hong Kong squads, with the Foton Tornadoes defeating a club from Hong Kong in the 2016 Asian Club Championships.
Still, Vicente is wary of an upset.
“Alam naman natin ang Hong Kong kahit papano nag-u-upgrade na rin ‘yan eh, we have also upgraded already.
“Pero I believe in the team, may pupuntahan kami tomorrow. Ayaw ko lang mag-conclude, pero I’m very confident na makakapasok tayo ng quarterfinals,” added the veteran mentor, as making the Top Eight of this tournament qualifies the Philippines for the Asian Cup next year.
Coming off a two-week training camp in Japan, the Nationals are looking to show off their newfound form and chemistry in this tournament.
“Lahat naman ng gagawin natin may pressure, okay lang ‘yan. We should love the pressure,” the national team mentor declared. “‘Yung mga umaasang papasok tayo sa quarterfinals, ‘yun ang pressure.
“Yun ang natutunan namin sa abroad eh, just relax, ‘wag masyado mag-iisip ng kahit na ano, basta maglaro lang ng kung ano ang dapat laruin at pilitin manalo.”
