After scoring their first win in the Asian Games in nearly four decades, the Philippines Women’s National Volleyball Team brace for a meetup rife with implications against host Indonesia on Saturday.
Fresh from their win against Hong Kong, National Team ace spiker Alyssa Valdez fielded questions about their highly-anticipated match against the Southeast Asian powerhouse.
The Indonesian made a historic breakthrough in the 2017 SEA Games, finally overcoming Vietnam in the semifinals and settling for silver.
If the Nationals wish to reach the podium when the Philippines hosts the SEA Games next year, Indonesia will likely be standing in their way.
“Siyempre, makakalaban din natin sila (Indonesia) sa SEA Games.
“Same thing, we’re going to train tomorrow. I think we have to focus. We have to focus on our game. I think the goal for us is to really prepare well,” said Valdez, who led the Philippines against Hong Kong with 14 points.
Meeting in the Asian Games gives the Philippines a valuable chance to size up their opponent. After all, the Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas Inc. has made it clear that the goal in these Asian Games is to prepare for next year’s SEA Games.
The Indonesians will not only have a partisan home crowd, they still also have the high-scoring Aprilia Manganang on their side.
The Philippines controversially protested Manganang’s eligibility in the 2015 SEA Games, which motivated the diminutive spiker to crush the Philippines in the tournament.
While Manganang has moved on from the event, her scoring prowess has not waivered. Against Hong Kong, the open spiker drilled 28 points.
“Siyempre, gusto naming manalo,” asserted Valdez.
“Definitely, magiging bonus sa amin ‘yung panalo if maglaro kami nang maayos, as one team – to really play inspired and motivated. Matagal na rin kaming naglalaban ng Indonesia, so ano ba naman ‘yung maka-isa tayo? Pride din natin ‘yun,” the 25-year-old spiker emphasized.
After facing FIVB 16th-ranked team Thailand and 8th-ranked Japan in their first two Asian Games match-ups, the pride of Batangas is confident that they have built some measure of confidence.
“Masasabi din naman na the scheduling was pretty good. Playing against Thailand then Japan – very high-class volleyball. Nabugbog man kami, pero we thought na marami kaming natutunan,” the former Ateneo Lady Eagle expressed.
“The important thing was to build our confidence and see kung ano ‘yung kailangan natin pagtuunan, lalo na ‘yung service receive. One thing na natutunan ko from those matches is really to meditate and focus. I think what’s important now is to play and represent our country; play 100 percent and with all your heart. “
