The Philippines might have been on the receiving end of a deflating loss to Thailand on Saturday, but skipper Aby Maraño chooses to look at the setback in a positive light.
“Sigurado ako itong nangyari sa amin against Thailand, magiging motivation ‘to,” Maraño bared moments after suffering a straight-set beatdown.
The Nationals were without the offensive brilliance of Alyssa Valdez, Jia Morado, Jovelyn Gonzaga and Maddie Madayag — all of whom had played for their respective club teams in Iloilo. And so the 10-woman roster of the Nationals could only do so much against the long-reigning volleyball queens of Southeast Asia.
But when it marches into battle on the final day of the four-nation tournament, the Philippine delegates will be at full strength once again.
With an even 1-1 win-loss record, the Filipinas are still on the prowl for another podium finish in the regional meet. But this time, the silver medal is well within reach.
“Babawiin namin kung ano ‘yung naging resulta [against Thailand], and at the same time gusto namin i-aim ‘yung silver,” vowed the F2 Logistic captain.
Fans can expect a full-force Philippine squad that will not leave anything to chance when it faces the silver medalist of the first leg, Indonesia. The all-important match will take place on Sunday, October 6, at the Sta. Rosa Multi-Purpose Sports Complex.
“Yes po, kumpleto po kami. Pag-aaralan namin mabuti kung ano yung mga strategy at game plan na magagamit namin para maging effective,” Maraño shared. “Siyempre last leg, natalo kami in five sets. Definitely we will adjust kung ano ‘yung mga lapses namin doon.
“Pagiigihan namin at siguro ie-elevate pa namin ‘yung performance namin.”
