The Philippine Women’s National Volleyball Team engaged in several tune-up matches, putting its chemistry to the test against Yamanashi Chuo Bank and Yamagata on Saturday.
Even without the services of Alyssa Valdez and Jia Morado due to their club team commitments, the Filipinas were able to figure in tightly-contested bouts against the Japanese.
After the dust settled, however, Yamagata had stifled the Philippine delegates with a straight-set 26-24, 25-22, 25-17 result. Meanwhile, Yamanashi Chuo Bank walked away with a 19-25, 24-26, 23-25, 25-23 decision.
“Nakakatuwa kasi ang score namin, not naman sobrang layo. Konti na lang, so parang pwedeng ipanalo,” said head coach Shaq Delos Santos.
“Pero ‘yun ang isa pa sa kailangan naming i-improve, ‘yung sa endgame namin.”
Despite bagging just one set in seven in their scrimmages at the Yamanashi Chuo Bank Gym, the Nationals were able to gauge their level of play against the pair of Japan Division two club teams.
“Magandang opportunity para sa amin na makalaro ang ganitong klase ng team,” remarked Delos Santos.
“Kailangan naming i-improve ang patience ng team kapag naglalaro. Kasi hindi mo sila [Japanese teams] basta-basta mababagsakan ng bola,” he added.
“Kailangan kapag umaatake ka at dumidiskarte ka, tuluy-tuloy hangga’t ‘di namamatay ang bola.”
This was the third tune-up match date in the 12-day Japan training camp for the tricolor squad as it continues to prepare for the 30th Southeast Asian Games this November.
Having faced off against a quartet of club teams from the second division, the Philippine contingents will finally have a tune-up game against a Japan V. Premier League squad in Hitachi Rivale on Monday.
