The Philippine Women’s National Volleyball Team absorbed back-to-back defeats at the hands of Gunma Bank Green Wings, Thursday.
Coming off a loss to Kashiwa Angel Cross last Tuesday, the Filipinas succumbed in straight-set 20-25, 19-25, 8-25 fashion in the morning session against the Japan second-division league club team at the Gunma GB Sports Center.
Fortunately, in the afternoon rematch, the Nationals salvaged a single set in a 16-25, 21-25, 20-25, 25-20 defeat.
Jotled to their senses following six straight set losses, the Philippine contingents leaned on the towering presence of ASEAN Grand Prix two-time Best Middle Blocker Majoy Baron, skipper Aby Marano, Mylene Paat and Ces Molina in the fourth frame, mounting a 16-10 advantage.
Though the Japanese whittled away the deficit to 16-19, Alyssa Valdez and Molina linked up and buoyed the tricolor squad to a 23-18 cushion — a lead that they would not relinquish the rest of the way.
Given this, head coach Shaq Delos Santos made it known that his wards’ development has been on an upswing. He also asserted that the team has shown signs of improvement compared to their first practice match.
“At least nakakita na ako ng improvement but, of course, hindi tayo pwedeng mag-stop dito,” said Delos Santos, who welcomed the arrival of Jovelyn Gonzaga, Eya Laure and assistant coach Kungfu Reyes on Thursday morning.
“Aral tayo ulit and ayusin natin ang mga mali natin.”
Gunma Bank mentor Isihara Akihisa also pointed out that the Philippine contingents have the talent, but must improve on their on-court cohesiveness and chemistry.
“The individual players have [great] potential, their skills are very high. But in the court, the six players must be coordinated. The combinations sometimes are not very good,” he said through an interpreter.
Akihisa then provided the Nationals a piece of advice.
“We have this [chemistry] advantage in the court. The coordination and combination of the six players will help you a lot.”
The Philippines shall face Yamanashi Chuo Bank on Saturday as it seeks to chalk a win in the 12-day training camp in Japan, which is part of the buildup to the 30th Southeast Asian Games.
