Coming from the systematic and tactical system under La Salle coach Ramil de Jesus, Maicah Larroza is eager to adapt to a new style of volleyball under Japanese coach Shota Sato at Farm Fresh.
Selected as the No. 4 pick by the Foxies, Larroza is determined to contribute her expertise while also learning from the ‘young and emerging’ Farm Fresh squad.
Sato, an assistant coach for reigning PVL Invitational champion Kurashiki Ablaze, joined Farm Fresh during the All-Filipino Conference, alongside Japanese consultant Hideo Suzuki and deputies Shimizu Mikihiro and Asaka Tamaru, who will serve as ZUS Coffee’s import.
“With a Japanese coach, and Farm Fresh is a young and emerging team, I’m very excited na is-hare yung skills ko sa kanila and I’m also excited na mag-learn ng mga bago sa Japanese coach and sa system,” Larroza said during the inaugural PVL Draft held at the Novotel Manila Araneta City on Monday.
(C) PVL Images
Larroza, whose selection completed La Salle’s sweep of the top four overall picks, acknowledged the sacrifices and hard work that have prepared them for successful professional careers.
Thea Gagate emerged as the first-ever No. 1 pick for ZUS Coffee, while Leila Cruz and Julia Coronel went second and third overall to Capital1 and Galeries, respectively.
“I think this is a product of our sacrifices and hard work kasi iba yung pinagdaanan namin and yung journey namin sa La Salle, linookforward din namin na meron kaming dream na maaachieve dito sa PVL,” Larroza added.
Like her Lady Spikers teammates, Larroza also expressed gratitude to La Salle tactician Ramil de Jesus for preparing her for the PVL.
“Coach Ramil was an instrument sa pag-achieve ko sa dreams ko and yung coach ko siya since I started playing volleyball,” she expressed.
“I think magiging malaking inspiration pa rin siya sa paglalaro ko sa pros.”
