REBISCO-Philippine Superliga (PSL) Manila begins its daunting task in the 18th Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Asian Women’s Club Championship when it faces powerhouse Japanese club Hisamitsu Springs today at the Boris Alexandrov Sports Palace in Ust-Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan.
The Philippine Superliga selection, composed mostly of the members of the national women’s national pool, faces the two-time Asian Women’s Club champion Hisamitsu in Pool B action at 12:30 p.m. (Manila time).
National team Coach Francis Vicente said Japan, which normally has an import it hardly uses, would be a suitable opponent for the Filipinas who are gearing up for the Malaysia Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in August.
“One of the models we are looking at is that of Japan, because of its speed and discipline,” said Vicente whose squad is backed by Rebisco, Asics, Grand Sports and Turkish Airlines. “We will be out there fighting with all we’ve got.”
The team worked on foot and leg drills at the lobby of the Shiny River Hotel because it was drizzling all Wednesday morning which sent temperatures dropping to 14 degrees from Tuesday’s high of 30 degrees.
The Filipinas also practised on Tuesday night, hours after a tiring flight from Manila—although it hardly showed in the faces of the players whose core will form the SEA Games squad.
Morale is high for the team which will be led by 6-foot-5 Jaja Santiago who, despite being only 21 years old, is easily the most seasoned among the Filipinos because of her stint in last year’s International Volleyball Federation World Club Championship in Manila.
“We are ready for the competitions,” said Santiago of Foton. “We know this is a tough competition, but we are excited to go out there and play against the best teams.”
Thailand and Iran collide next at 1:30 p.m. local time, to be followed by Vietnam-China tussle at 3:30 p.m. Host Kazakhstan sees action against Chinese Taipei at 7 p.m., following the opening ceremony.
The Philippines will face Vietnam on Friday, before rounding up its Group B games against China on Saturday.
Rachel Anne Daquis is team skipper of the club that includes Mika Reyes, Aby Marano, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Denden Lazaro and Kim Fajardo. Also making up the team are Bia General, Lourdes Clemente, Maika Ortiz, Gen Casugod, Ces Molina, Aiza Pontillas and Rhea Dimaculangan.
Rebisco PSL-Manila is also composed of team manager Anna Tomas and assistant coaches Brian Esquivel, Ronald Dulay and Emmanuel Calipes.