Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

News

RDJ confident in ‘world-class’ libero Dawn Macandili


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.

#ReadMore  UAAP 84: La Salle stands tall over Ateneo for 10th straight time, advances to Finals

“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.2017-psl-grand-prix-f2-logistics-def-petron-perez RDJ confident in 'world-class' libero Dawn Macandili News PSL Volleyball  - philippine sports news

“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.”

Written By

Miguel Luis Flores fell face first into sports writing in high sch9l and has never gotten up. He reluctantly stumbled into the volleyball beat when he started with Tiebreaker Times three years ago. Now, he has waded through everything volleyball - from its icky politics to the post-modern art that is Jia Morado's setting.


You May Also Like

News

Petro Gazz dealt Cignal its first loss of the tournament with a dominant 25-19, 25-21, 25-18 sweep, extending their winning streak to four matches...

News

Already boasting the services of national team mainstay libero Dawn Catindig, Cignal head coach Shaq Delos Santos found the perfect complement with the signing...

News

Cignal recovered from a second-frame setback, taking the next two for a 25-19, 20-25, 25-18, 25-21 victory in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference at...

News

ANTIPOLO — Cignal opened its campaign with a dominant sweep of Farm Fresh, 25-15, 25-18, 25-21, in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference...

ADMU

Defending champion National University; league-leaders Far Eastern University and De La Salle University; and University of Santo Tomas all clinched semifinal spots in the...

ADMU

De La Salle University extended its dominant run in the 2024 Shakey’s Super League Collegiate Pre-season Championship, defeating the University of the East, 23-25,...

News

The Creamline Cool Smashers would not be denied this time around. After a narrow miss in their first attempt, Creamline achieved what no other...

News

Once upon a time, MJ Perez and Dawn Catindig were hand in hand, facing off against head coach Shaq Delos Santos, Ces Molina, and...

Advertisement