Tats, Palou visit volley camps

MANILA, Philippines — PNVF president Tats Suzara and PVL president Ricky Palou are in Japan to visit the national men’s and women’s indoor volleyball teams training for the SEA Games. The men are working out with the Panasonic Panthers D1 club in Hirataka, Osaka from April 9 to 23 while the women are training with the Himeji Victoria D1 club in Hyogo, west of Osaka and Kyoto from April 13 to 28. Both volleyball executives left late Thursday night and return to Manila on Thursday.

Suzara said a recent MRI revealed that PLDT’s Kath Arado wouldn’t be able to play in the SEA Games because of a knee injury and coach Jorge Edson Souza de Brito pulled in Akari’s Shiela Marie (Bang) Pineda as replacement. “We’re grateful to the Japanese Ambassador (Kazuhiko Koshikawa) for his assistance in facilitating Bang’s visa as we only had two days to work on her paperwork,” said Suzara. “Kath is ruled out for Cambodia and Bang will take her place.”

Suzara also said women’s team captain Alyssa Valdez should be good to go for the SEA Games. Valdez herself said she’ll be ready for Cambodia. The goal is to end the team’s streak of fourth place finishes in the last three SEA Games. “Recovery is on track,” said Valdez who missed the last PVL All-Filipino conference due to injury. “I’m slowly doing jumps and lots of things other than basic exercises. My motivation is to be 100 percent and it’s an inspiration to be named captain. I can’t wait to play on the court.”

Valdez and six Creamline teammates lead the 14-strong team bound for Cambodia. The roster lists Valdez, Jia Morado-De Guzman, Kyla Atienza, Dell Palomata, Gel Cayuna, Cel Domingo, Jema Galanza, Kat Tolentino, Tots Carlos, Mylene Paat, Michele Gumabao, Cherry Nunag, Pineda and Glaudine Troncoso. De Guzman, who played in the 2018 Asian and 2019 SEA Games, said the team will give its best, no matter what. “We’re hoping for a podium finish,” said De Guzman, named Best Setter and Finals MVP in the last PVL championships.

Carlos is playing in her SEA Games debut and said it’s a new learning for her. “No expectations, no pressure,” she said. Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses is in De Brito’s staff and said he’s 100 percent behind the Brazilian. “We’re building team chemistry which is an important factor,” he said. “Marami kaming matututunan sa Japan at malaking tulong ang training with Himeji.” The other day, the women’s team lost a four-setter to Himeji in a practice game, 25-21, 19-25, 25-13, 25-22.