After four months away with the squad, Oita Miyoshi star Bryan Bagunas has finally reunited with the Philippine Men’s National Volleyball Team in Japan, Monday.
“Siyempre ako, sobrang masaya ako kasi nakasama na ulit ako sa training nila. Iba talaga sa feeling ‘yung sarili mong bansa ‘yung pinaglalaruan mo,” said Bagunas, following the Rebisco-backed team’s afternoon practice at the Sagamitana High School gym.
“Kaya sobrang excited ako na pumunta dito para makasama sila sa training.”
And he couldn’t help but marvel at his team’s vastly improved play.
“Sa ngayon sa nakikita ko, halos talagang may communication na sa isa’t isa, tsaka talagang nagkakaisa-isa na. Nakita ko ‘yung depensa, talagang grabe na rin ‘yung depensa talaga. Nagtutulungan sa blockings ta’s sa floor defense, talagang tumaas ‘yung percentage ngayon. Andaming nag-improve,” said Bagunas.
Bagunas, however, will only stay for four days with the Filipino spikers. He will participate in two practices and a pair of friendly matches against FC Tokyo before reuniting with the Oita-based squad on Friday.
Unfortunately, this will be the last time that Bagunas joins the team’s practice until he flies back to the country on November 30, two days before the opening of the 30th South East Asian Games volleyball tournament.
With the clock clearly not on his side, the 6-foot-5 dynamo vows to double his work and make up for lost time.
“Susulitin ko ‘to kasi ito na ‘yung last na makikipag-training ako sa kanila kasi dadating ako, SEA Games na talaga. Susulitin ko na makapag-perform ng maayos at makapag-communicate sa kanila para pagdating ng SEA Games may maipakita kaming maganda,” said the hard hitting son of Balayan, Batangas.
And chemistry will surely not be an issue for the NU product, since he has already trained with the team before. Bagunas is also one of the few players familiar with the system of Philippine team head coach Dante Alinsunurin. He previously played for the decorated mentor in his collegiate and semi-pro career.
Bagunas – who is currently the sixth-best attacker in the Japan V-League Division I – plans to apply everything that he’s learned from his ongoing stint with the Weisse Adler to help the country end its medal drought.
“Kung ano yung natutunan ko dito ia-apply ko lang doon, then kung anong pwede kong maitulong sa team ibibigay ko. And siyempre ‘yung best ko ibibigay ko para sa bansa, sa teammates ko, and sa coaches,” said Bagunas.
Bagunas will showcase his wares for the Nationals against FC Tokyo on Tuesday, at the Fukugawa Gym.
