PWNVT struggles with first ball, falls to Kashiwa

The Philippine Women’s National Volleyball Team got off to a strong start only to falter in the end, suffering a stunning loss in its first of a series of friendly matches, Tuesday morning.

Figuring in a five-set affair, the Filipinas could only secure the opening frame, falling to Kashiwa Angel Cross, 25-18, 23-25, 18-25, 13-25, 12-15, at the Kashiwanoha Community Gymnasium in Japan.

“Yung speed nila, makikita mo naman ‘yung galaw nila unlike sa Pilipinas. Dito never ka dapat mag-stop hangga’t yung bola nagtutuloy. Hindi yung kada commit, stop ka, dapat tuluy-tuloy yung galaw natin,” National team head coach Shaq Delos Santos said.

Behind their overwhelming pace, the Japanese pounced on the sloppy defensive schemes of the Nationals. The Japan V. League Division 2 club team overcame an early match deficit and seized control in the succeeding frames.

“’Yung ano lang receive, receive. ‘Yung first ball namin ang kailangan naming i-improve,” Delos Santos added.

The Philippine contingent, though, may have started their series of tune-ups on the wrong foot, but it already showed the work needed to be done. And Delos Santos hopes that his wards will be able to learn from their mistakes heading to their next matches.

“’Yun ang isang goal namin, paano i-handle ang ganoong sitwasyon especially kung ang kalaban mo consistent sa service and talagang may target,” said Delos Santos. “So kailangan i-accept namin at i-challenge namin ang sarili namin na kailangan lagi kaming may first ball.

“Kasi kapag nagkaka-first ball kami at maganda ang receive definitely mayroon tayong magandang atake,” he added.

The Philippines seeks to bounce back as it faces Gunma Bank Green Wings on Thursday, October 24.