New Alas Pilipinas Women team captain Dawn Macandili-Catindig is banking on team chemistry as they prepare to face the eight-time Japan V.League champion Saga Hisamitsu Springs in a two-day exhibition series.
Catindig, who took on the captaincy in the absence of Jia De Guzman due to her commitments with Denso Airybees, emphasized that playing against the battle-tested Japanese squad will be a valuable learning experience for the young Alas team.
“Sa chemistry, siguro ang laking factor kasi when you get closer to your teammates outside the court. Nagiging iba talaga ‘yung bond pagdating sa loob ng court. Malaking factor din ‘yun na nagco-contribute sa chemistry inside the court,” said Catindig during the Alas Pilipinas Invitationals press conference.
“It’s always a good opportunity kapag you’re gonna face a stronger team. It means that talagang marami kang matututunan. We’re gonna take this opportunity talaga na ma-absorb lahat ng lessons individually and as a team,” she added.
Alas Women will go head-to-head with Saga Hisamitsu Springs on Saturday and Sunday, both at 3:00 p.m., at the Philsports Arena in Pasig. The matches are part of the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship kickoff event.
In addition to the women’s games, the men’s side will take on Yuji Nishida and the Osaka Bluteon at 6:00 p.m. on both days.
Catindig and the Nationals are coming off consecutive bronze finishes in the 2024 Southeast Asia V-League and are looking to build on that achievement when they take on Hisamitsu Springs.
“Siguro for me, ang biggest lesson ko is ‘yung responsibility to keep it going. We achieved something very historic and something that we have been working hard for,” said the former PVL Best Libero.
“It takes a lot of grit to keep that passion and to keep that going until maging silver na siya and maging gold eventually,” she added.
“For me, wish ko talaga is to continue playing together and to keep that bond. Mabilis lang ang one year. Hindi pwedeng magkikita-kita na lang ulit kami next year. Kailangang magtuloy talaga.”
