The Philippine Women’s National Team got their first taste of organized competition, taking down the young Cocolife Asset Managers in straight sets in the 2018 Chooks to Go-Philippine Superliga Invitational Cup.
Of the 20-woman pool, 11 played against the Asset Managers – namely Foton’s Maika Ortiz, CJ Rosario, Jaja Santiago and Dindin Manabat; F2 Logistics’ Kim Fajardo, Aby Maraño and Majoy Baron; Cignal’s Mylene Paat; and Cocolife’s Denden Lazaro.
Kianna Dy and Cha Cruz-Behag were in attendance but did not play in order to rest minor injuries.
National team head coach Shaq Delos Santos relishes these exhibition matches, as the team can continue building chemistry before going full-swing into preparations on August.
“Well, para sa amin ‘yung adjustment nandun pa rin. At the same time ‘yung line-up hindi naman totally kumpleto dun sa position.
“Pero good thing and we’re happy na nagde-deliver yung players namin kahit na anong position yung ibigay muna namin sa kanila. And ayun nga, thankful kami na naipanalo namin yung laro,” said Delos Santos.
The National Team is expected to begin an overseas training camp in August. Delos Santos has revealed that he and the LVPI are planning to hold the camp either in Japan or in Thailand.
Delos Santos will bring the 14-woman lineup for the Asian Games previously announced last month. He has tweaked the final roster, exchanging Rhea Dimaculangan for Maika Ortiz in one of the reserve spots due to the former’s personal reasons.
“Wala pa ring final decision pero syempre pinagpa-pray din namin and wino-work out talaga na matuloy kasi syempre kailangan namin yun para sa Asian Games,” Delos said, referring to the Asian Games camp.
“Target namin Japan. Kung hindi ano at maging okay ‘yung Thailand, okay din, walang problema. Basta kailangan namin ‘yung level ng makakalaban namin sa training camp namin, magle-level up talaga. Kailangan namin ‘yun. Yun yung isa sa kailangan naming maidagdag sa team kasi kung height, skills, meron, pero yung level tsaka galawan yun yung kailangan namin ma-adopt pagdating sa international play.”
