Despite not acquiring any foreign reinforcements, Team Laoag head coach Nes Pamilar is still positive about his team’s chances in the 13th Shakey’s V-League Reinforced Conference.
Laoag is one of the four teams that will not field foreign players in the upcoming conference. The other three squads are the University of Santo Tomas Tigresses, Philippine Air Force, and Philippine Coast Guard.
“Kung kukuha pa kami ng import, kulang na sa panahon,” admitted Pamilar after the SVL press conference Friday morning at the ELJ Communications Center in Quezon City.
“Kaya ang kinuha ko lahat, seasoned players. Mga naglaro sa UAAP at NCAA. Kumbaga naglalaro sa mga respective teams nila para yung kundisyon, andoon na.”
Pamilar is proud of his all-Filipino crew, but for now, he cannot comment yet on the chemistry of his team, saying that it is still a work in progress.
“Sa ngayon hindi ko pa masabi kasi late na rin kami nakapag-start [ng training]. Pero yung mga players, sabi ko nga, puro seasoned naman eh. So hindi magiging ganoon kahirap,” he stated.
Among the seasoned players that Laoag were able to acquire is 2016 Open Conference Most Valuable Player Gretchel Soltones. Pamilar has nothing but praises for one of the brightest young guns in volleyball today.
“Si Gretchel, mabait. Fighter. Kahit may nararamdaman siya, gusto niya pa rin makatulong,” Pamilar said, referring to a tune-up game in which Soltones still played despite feeling under the weather.
As for the team’s goal for the conference, Pamilar admitted that he would want Laoag to at least reach the Final Four phase.
“Sabi ko sa kanila, basta ibigay lang nila best nila. Pero sabi ko rin, pilitin natin makapasok at least sa Final Four.”
“’Pag may team na puro local tapos nakapasok, magandang istorya,” ended Pamilar.
Laoag’s campaign in the Reinforced Conference will start on Saturday, October 1, against the Philippine Coast Guard at 4:00 PM.
