Korean coach to hold PSL volley clinic

MANILA, Philippines – A top Korean coach is set to conduct a five-day volleyball training program aimed at improving the performance of Filipino setters competing in major volleyball tournaments.

Former South Korean men’s national team head coach Kim Keung Un will serve as the drillmaster when the Philippine Superliga organizes the first PSL Setting Seminar from tomorrow at the Arellano University-LVPI Volleyball Center in Pasay City.

PSL president Ramon Suzara said the training will not only improve the passing accuracy, form and skills of Filipino setters, but also their ability to read the defense and decision-making under tight situations.

Suzara added that setters from the PSL like Kim Fajardo of F2 Logistics, Acy Masangkay of Petron, Rhea Dimaculangan of Foton, April Ross Hingpit of Cignal and those from the UAAP, NCAA and other collegiate leagues are invited to attend.

Fajardo, in fact, gained prominence few months ago when she impressed a noted Thai coach in Chatchai Dokmai in a friendly match between her university team, De La Salle, and the Thailand junior women’s national team.

“Our setters have what it takes to become the world’s best,” said Suzara, also the chairman of the powerful marketing and development committee of the Asian Volleyball Confederation. “That’s why we tried our best to bring Mr. Kim here. We believe in the ability of our setters and we are optimistic that a seminar like this can bring out the best in them.”

The seminar, which was extended by the AVC to Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas, Inc., is just one of the many pre-season workshops organized by the country’s most prestigious club league.

The PSL also held a VIS-Data volley project seminar for coaches and team statisticians, Mueller volleyball injury prevention for physical therapists, referee refresher course of referees and TV5 television workshop for coaches and players.

Soon, the PSL press corps will organize the PSL sportswriting seminar for aspiring sportswriters from various colleges and universities.  

“We want a holistic approach,” Suzara said. “We’re not just organizing tournaments, but we also want to enhance the knowledge of the people involved, from players to coaches to referees, statisticians and even sportswriters.”

LVPI vice president Peter Cayco lauded the effort of the PSL, saying that a project like this can jumpstart the return of the Philippines back to prominence in the international arena.