While most teams would be frustrated with a straight-sets loss, the Philippines gladly took a sweep from Kazakhstan in the 19th Asian Senior Women’s Championship, Friday night.
Each set featured a strong rally from the host squad, but the Nationals were noticeably lacking a finishing push. For head coach Francis Vicente, Kazakhstan’s lead in each set represented the gap in experience from both squads.
“Nandoon naman lahat. Everybody contributed,” the National Team tactician said. “‘Yun lang minimization ng errors hindi maiwasan. ‘Yun lang lahat ng kalaban mo dito marurunong, magagaling.
“Hindi biro dito.”
According to Vicente, the team needs to experience more of this to compete at the South East Asian level.
“Siguro more pa sa international exposure. More games pa.
“Pero, so far, maganda ‘yung ginawa nila. Kailangan lang namin pag-aralan pa ulit basahin ulit kung san tayo nagkamali,” Vicente furthered.
With tougher challenges ahead in the next phase of the tournament, Vicente wants his troops to feel uplifted despite the loss.
“I’m proud of them, (sabi ko sa kanila) kapag lumabas kayo dito (sa venue) taas noo. Talagang ganoon, sometimes you lose, sometimes you win,” Vicente admitted.
“A champion player always accepts losing and then study, san ba tayo nagkulang? Kahit kaming coaches we will study, saan ba kami nagkulang?”
