September 9 ------ The Philippine women’s volleyball team fell once again to the more experienced Japanese club team Saga Hitsamitsu Springs, 25-14, 25-21, 25-19, on the second and final day of the Alas Pilipinas Invitationals at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
Opposite hitter Mika Yoshitake showed the way for Saga with 16 points, 14 from attacks, as the Japanese visitors, a nine-time champion in the Japan pro league, completed a two-game sweep of the Filipinas. Still, the experience turned out fruitful for Alas, with reigning UAAP women’s volleyball MVP Bella Belen noting some of their takeaways. “We’re very happy since we experienced that kind of competition, and I think we still have a lot to improve on, and we need to bring the lessons learned here to our respective competitions,” said Belen.
Alyssa Solomon paced Alas with 7 points, Sisi Rondina added 5, while Vanie Gandler and Fifi Sharma added 4 each for the national team. “It’s good for us,” said Alas Pilipinas head coach Jorge Souza de Brito. “We need to give exposure to all of them… we need more matches at this level. We need international-level play since we’re the national team.” he added.
Belen also pointed out that Alas learned patience during the two-game exhibition slate, as the Japanese game is predicated more on floor defense. “Hindi sila agad namamatayan ng bola, hindi tulad ng sa local teams na ‘onting palo lang, babagsak na ‘yung bola,” the National University star told reporters after the game. While the Alas team scrambled to receive and score points, their Japanese counterparts exhibited poise and took time with their clinical method of scoring, noted Belen.
The invitational tourney — which also saw the Alas team lose in straight sets on Saturday, 25-19, 25-16, 25-16, against the same Japanese foes – wrapped up the national team calendar, allowing the players to be released back to their respective mother teams in the PVL and the UAAP. The PVL’s All-Filipino Conference will run from November to May, while the UAAP Season 87 volleyball tournament will be held from February to May next year.
During the weekend, Choco Mucho setter Mars Alba was added to the pool, with De Brito eyeing other playmakers such as Cignal’s Gel Cayuna. De Brito — who steered Alas Pilipinas to a historic bronze-finish in the Southeast Asian V. League last month — also noted other technical adjustments Alas needs to work on, like better reception and more side outs. “Women’s volleyball doesn’t kill all the time, it means you have to play, and play, and play again,” said De Brito. “Japanese teams keep on teaching around the world that, and if we get this for us, surely we’ll grow as a team.” he added.
Meanwhile, Alas Pilipinas Men kicked off its one-year leadup to the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship next year with a similarly tough weekend, losing anew to Japan’s Osaka Bluteon, 25-17, 25-10, 25-21. For team captain Kim Malabunga, it was clear there were still some things lacking with Alas Men, which is ranked 64th in the world. “It’s fairly obvious that we still have a lot to work on,” Malabunga said after the game. “We still have to improve on many aspects like service, reception, blockings, and spiking, as well as teamwork,” he added.
To help address the issues, the team will head to Italy for a two-week training camp this September, but visa issues might move up the date for the team. “We are excited since it will be the first time many of us are going there and we admire their volleyball program, which will be of big help to the Philippines,” said Malabunga. No further details were disclosed as the team also awaits the results of the FIVB draw this Saturday, September 14, at Solaire Hotel in Parañaque. “We want to face the best like Poland, France, Italy, and the [United States].”
Source: rappler.com
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