For two months, the Men’s National Volleyball Team — coached by Sammy Acaylar — have been training consistently in the Arellano Law School’s quaint facility in Taft Avenue.
Friday morning, while the boys were going through drills early in the morning, there was an unusual buzz. On the bleachers were a throng of reporters, watching intently.
“Bihira lang naman kayo pumunta dito,” Mark Alfafara, one of the squad’s most powerful hitters, joked with a reporter.
Unlike the Women’s Team, the Men’s squad have barely gotten any media attention save for the few comments when the lineups came out.
Despite that, the Men’s Team have been plugging away with little fanfare over the past two months.
Acaylar prefers it this way. For him, the Men’s team will have to earn the adoration of the Filipinos more focused on the Women’s action.
“Actually, I don’t care ‘yung sa mga intriga. I always tell my players to never mind the bashers, the criticisms, the comparisons. I respect na dito sa bansa natin na medyo angat ang atensyon ng mga tao sa volleyball ng babae,” mused the decorated NCAA mentor.
“China-challenge ko sila, kung hindi tayo masyadong pinapansin, bigyan natin sila ng idea na ang men’s is also important in volleyball.”
On July 20, the Men’s team will fly to Korea for a two-week training camp in preparation for the 2017 SEA Games on August. Acaylar, however, wants the team to gain more exposure.
“Ang advantage lang before, marami kaming training camp. But I talked to Mr. Suzara na sana pagbigyan kami ng isa pa after Korea. Dito sa Pilipinas, wala talagang kalaban ang lalake. Kaya kailangan talaga sa ibang bansa,” he furthered.
Having coached the National Team to a bronze medal in the SEA Games before, Acaylar knows that it takes more than skill to triumph in high-level competitions.
Under his attentive gaze, the National Team has developed heart and chemistry.
“For almost two months na training, malaki ang in-improve ng mga bata as far as skill set. But, you know, the most important thing is the heart of the players. Sa panahon ngayon, mahirap makuha ‘yun. Pero nakikita ko sa team ngayon na they really want to do their best and fight for their country.”
