In the final scrimmage of its two-week-long training camp, the Philippine Women’s National Volleyball team yielded to the Japanese once again on Thursday, losing to Nittai University in four sets, 20-25, 25-23, 20-25, 14-25, at the Nippon Sports Science University gym in Setagaya.
But as the near round-the-clock volleyball action in Japan drew to a close, head coach Shaq Delos Santos would be the first to acknowledge that the Nationals picked up plenty of lessons and experiences throughout their stay.
“Definitely marami kaming natutunan sa mga tune-up games,” said Delos Santos.
“Hopefully ma-absorb pa namin siya ng mabuti. Itutuloy namin ito pagdating sa Pilipinas.”
All in all, the Filipinas figured in five tune-up playdates in a span of 12 days. They engaged in a total of 25 sets — with only three resulting in a victory.
The Philippine delegates were pitted against Japan second division club teams in Kashiwa Angel Cross, Gunma Bank Green Wings, Yamanashi Chuo Bank and Yamagata Prestige International Aranmare, as well as Japan V. League squad Hitachi Rivale and Nittai University. In between their scheduled matches, they underwent a rigorous training regimen alongside conditioning exercises.
Delos Santos pointed out the development in his squad’s performance throughout the training camp. Still, he also admitted that there’s still plenty to work on. This includes their defensive schemes, pace, and cohesiveness as a unit.
“Nagkaroon ng improvement, but it doesn’t mean na okay na. Kailangan pang ituluy ng ituloy hanggang sa dumating ang SEA Games,” said the grizzled tactician as his side continues to prepare for the biennial regional meet that the country will host on November.
“’Yun kasi ang unang-unang problema namin pagdating sa receive, ‘yung pasa, especially doon sa end game. So ‘yun, kailangan din naming i-develop ‘yun.”
He then added, “I think kailangan pa namin ng mas maraming scrimmage pa, 6-on-6 na laro, para mas makuha namin ang galawan mismo ng team kung ano ang gusto naming mangyari. At the same time, ‘yung speed na na-experience namin dito mas ma-develop pa namin.”
Delos Santo also disclosed that his national team members will be complete once they return to Manila on Friday and resume training in the Philippines.
“May mga kailangan pa kaming ma-improve, and hopefully makumpleto na kami para mas marami kaming magawa para sa team,” said Delos Santos, whose squad had to adjust midway through the camp with Alyssa Valdez and Jia Morado cutting their time short due to club team commitments.
The Nationals will get to showcase the results of their overseas exposure when the PSL Super Cup fires off on Tuesday at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City. There, they will face a pair of selection squads in Team Sparkle and Team Shine, as well as the women’s volleyball team of Tsukuba University.
“Good thing mayroon tayong liga, ‘yung Super Cup, and mayroon isang Japanese team na darating,” said Delos Santos.
“Hopefully, maibuhos namin doon ang mga natutunan namin doon.”
