t is no secret that the Philippines training in Japan because it has one of the finest volleyball programs in the world.
“Nagpunta kami rito, kailangan ma-absorb namin kung anong merong galawan ang Japan,” said national team head coach Shaq Delos Santos.
With a little over a month left before the 30th Southeast Asian Games in Manila, the Filipinas are in the thick of a training camp where they’re given the opportunity to compete in a series of tune-up games with Japanese club and varsity teams in a span of two weeks.
And thus far, it has been nothing short of a fruitful time for the Nationals.
The tricolor squad has figured in three scrimmages against a pair of Japan division two club teams in Kashiwa Angel Cross and Gunma Bank Green Wings last Tuesday and Thursday, respectively.
Although they only secured two in a dozen of sets played against the aforementioned squads, the country’s delegates have soaked invaluable experiences from the Japanese — much to the delight of Delos Santos.
“So dito tayo nagpupunta para maaral namin ‘yung iginagalaw nila, ma-absorb namin dahan-dahan ‘yan. ‘Yung adjustment as an individual and as a team kailangan namin na ma-accept at ma-absorb ng team,” the grizzled bench tactician bared.
“Ang maganda sa mga kalaban natin dito na kahit mag-create tayo ng attacks o combination plays sa kanila parang normal lang, ‘yung patience dun sa every point na gagawin mo kailangan ma-improve namin ‘yun.”
Delos Santos also pointed out that his team has shown signs of keeping pace with the level of play of the Japanese. So, he underscores the need of stability when it comes to sustaining optimum performance on the court.
“May mga galawan na nakukuha naman natin pero ‘yung maging consistent hanggang dulo ‘yun ang kailangan. Kailangan humaba ang ganoong klase ng galawan,” Delos Santos remarked. “Kasi parang sa atin gagalaw tayo ng isang maganda o dalawa after that stop na ulit tapos saka ulit [babalik]. ‘Yun ang kailangan naming ma-absorb and maigalaw namin ‘yun pagdating sa SEA Games.
“‘Yun ang target namin.”
The Filipinas continue to put their abilities and mettle to the test when they face Yamanashi Chuo Bank on Saturday, Hitachi Rivale on Monday and Nittai University on Thursday for the remainder of the camp.
“Kailangan tumaas ang mindset namin na pang-international level na ang pag-iisip namin.”
