In order to help Creamline’s title-retention bid in the 2019 PVL Open Conference, Jia Morado and Alyssa Valdez made their way back early to Manila from a training camp with the Philippine Women’s National Volleyball Team in Japan, Friday.
But despite cutting short their time with the rest of the contingents short, Morado believes that the five days she and Valdez had with the rest of the team were productive.
“We really made the most of what we could do with the five days,” the battle-tested playmaker bared. “Ang coaching staff naman namin and the team, we know naman ang goal namin for this trip.
“We want to make the most out of training, every opportunity we can get to learn from the Japanese.”
The Creamline tandem suited up for the Nationals when they played against Kashiwa Angel Cross and Gunma Bank Green Wings last Tuesday and Thursday, respectively.
The team ended up on the losing end against the Japan division two club teams both times. Still, Morado acknowledges that she and her sisters-in-arms have made progress when it comes to their pace and defensive schemes.
“Sa nilaro naman namin the past few days, nakikita naman namin ang small improvements. At least, at the end of the day, alam namin kung ano ang kailangan naming i-improve,” Morado remarked.
“So offense-wise and net defense, okay naman ‘yung team. Pero that’s why we went here, kasi gusto talaga naming i-improve ‘yung speed, fluidity ng defense namin, ng floor defense and reception.”
For her part, Valdez acknowledged that she and the rest of the Philippine delegates have made a conscious effort to help each other out in ways that would benefit their cohesiveness as a unit.
“One thing na maganda rin sa bawat isa very open sa mga adjustments and willing to learn, and willing to learn from each other,” she said.
Valdez also credited head coach Shaq Delos Santos for giving her a nudge to work on her net and floor defense.
“Basing it on our training the past few days, ako, one thing lang na laging ini-instill sa akin ni coach Shaq is to really [improve] on the blocking and floor defense, which is… Kahit ilang days lang na nakalipas, natutukan din naman ako ni coach Shaq,” the proud daughter of Batangas shared.
“Kahit may break kami ni Jia to go to our club team, ma-instill pa rin namin ang mga natutunan namin kay coach Shaq dito sa Japan.”
But more than anything, Valdez was simply relishing her time on court during the overseas training. She’s finally seeing action on a consistent basis following an injury to her right foot, which sidelined her for quite some time.
“I’m really happy na for the first five days, this is the first time talaga na tuluy-tuloy pa rin ang training ko na bumalik ako after that injury,” the five-time V-League Most Valuable Player bared.
“Honestly, I’m really enjoying the training, and really want to help and contributed sa team, so parang hindi mo na napapansin kung ano ang nararamdaman mo kasi lahat naman may nararamdaman dito.”
