In line with their continued mission to raise the level of Philippine Volleyball, the Philippine Supeliga added another innovation to the 2017 Chooks-to-Go Grand Prix. Unlike past seasons, when teams were only allowed two imports, the league has allowed its clubs to field a third import, provided that there can only be two foreign reinforcements in the frontline per rotation.
Most teams took advantage, picking up the usual two attackers and a libero or setter to beef up their lineups. But some, like the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers, opted to go with just two imports.
While F2 Logistics head coach Ramil De Jesus admits that he was not aware that they could have a third import until a few weeks before the season, he’s confident that his wards can keep up with their foreign counterparts.
De Jesus does have National Team players filling up the setter and libero positions. Kim Fajardo and Dawn Macandili were both impressive in their first stints for the Senior Women’s National Team earlier this year.
“Sa totoo lang, late na din nalaman na pwede pala magdagdag ng isa pang import,” De Jesus revealed.
“Pero masaya naman kami sa mga players na meron kami sa mga posisyon na ‘yun.”
While De Jesus has gushed about both players in the past, the 10-time UAAP champion expressed particular confidence in Macandili, whom he has coached since high school.
“Kung may Dawn Macandili ka naman na world-class, kampante naman ako na makaka-keep up kami sa ibang teams,” said the La Salle tactician.
However, he acknowledges that his two imports will be critical to their success in this highly-competitive Grand Prix.
“Ang labanan talaga sa Grand Prix is ‘yung quality ng imports kasi sila talaga ‘yung magbubuhat sa mga teams,” De Jesus continued.
The former FEU Tamaraw also has great faith in his pair of imports this year — former Venezuelan Olympian Maria Jose Perez and American Kennedy Bryan.
Winning this year’s Grand Prix would round out De Jesus’ coaching trophies, as he has already won the elusive All-Filipino Cup on 2016.
After taking a rousing debut win over Petron in Bacolod last weekend, De Jesus has high hopes for his team this conference.
“Ang maganda sa mga imports ko ngayon ay madali silang kausap. Wala talagang arte. Gagawin nila lahat para makatulong na maipanalo ‘yung team,” De Jesus expressed.
“Matagal pa ‘yung season. Hopefully, patuloy lang ‘yung pag-improve namin as a team and makakuha pa nang mas magandang chemistry ‘yung team.”
