Galeries Tower made a surprising move to start the 2024 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference by fielding Thai import Sutadta Chuewulim against Nxled on Tuesday afternoon.
Earlier, the Highrisers had announced Brazilian Monique Helena as their reinforcement for the import-laden match. However, Galeries assistant coach Scott Subiere explained the last-minute change, citing concerns over Helena’s fitness after a few practices.
“Sa import namin, si Monique, okay siya nandoon yung skills. Pero yung kundisyon ng katawan niya. Sabi fit to play siya, pero sa physical condition niya, hindi siya ganun ka-fit. So tinry namin ihabol siya sa conditioning pero ‘di talaga uubra,” said Subiere after the team’s five-set loss to Nxled.
“Buti na lang nandiyan yung management na sabi namin is kukuha na lang sa malapit, so ayun sa Thailand para nandito na agad. ‘Yun, move on na agad.”
Sutadta, who hadn’t trained with the Highrisers before the match, managed to deliver a commendable performance despite the team’s defeat.
Galeries fought hard but ultimately fell short, losing to Nxled 19-25, 25-22, 18-25, 27-25, 12-15 in their opening match of the Reinforced Conference at the Philsports Arena.
(C) Joaqui Flores/PVL
“Kagabi [siya dumating]. Kami rin sumundo. So yun nga, sabi ko fit kasi yung program namin sa program ng Thailand so halos same lang,” said Subiere.
“So kaya nung inano namin, nakakadepensa siya, nakaka-receive siya, so gusto namin ‘yung ganun. Saka mabilis yung mga bola namin so nakukuha niya naman.”
Sutadta, entering the game in the latter part of the opening set, finished with 14 points from 13 attacks and contributed eight excellent receptions.
The 31-year-old Thai spiker is familiar with Philippine volleyball, having played for Cagayan Valley in the Shakey’s V-League, United Volleyball Club in the Philippine SuperLiga, and BanKo Perlas in the PVL.
Subiere emphasized that Sutadta’s veteran experience will greatly benefit a young Highrisers team aiming to bounce back from a 10th-place finish in the season-opening All-Filipino Conference.
“Beterano na siya, so nandun na yung tiwala namin na kaya na niya. Tapos nagco-coach na rin siya sa Thailand. So alam na niya kung paano ang adjustment, beterano na talaga,” said Subiere.
“Hindi siya sobrang powerful, pero nandoon yung hits niya. Madulas. Nakakpuntos, ang importante nakakapuntos.”
