Thai star hails PH improvement in volleyball | ABS-CBN

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Thai star hails PH improvement in volleyball

Thai star hails PH improvement in volleyball

Camille B. Naredo,

ABS-CBN News

 | 

Updated Aug 19, 2018 09:00 PM PHT

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Philippines' Mika Reyes (L) hits the ball as Thailand's captain Pleumjit Thinkaow defends during their women's Group A preliminary volleyball match between the Philippines and Thailand at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta on August 19, 2018. Anthony Wallace, AFP.

JAKARTA -- Thailand skipper Pleumjit Thinkaow gave the Philippines’ performance a thumbs up after their volleyball game on Sunday at the Gelora Bung Karno complex.

Thinkaow had scored 10 points in Thailand’s 25-22, 25-12, 25-15 triumph over the Filipinas in their first game of the 2018 Asian Games -- the first time that the Philippines had competed in the quadrennial event in 36 years.

“Philippine very good,” said Thinkaow, a middle blocker who has been instrumental in Thailand’s dominance of volleyball in Southeast Asia. “Better than before.”

Their coach, Danai Sriwacharamaytakul, also took note of the Philippines’ improvement.

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“Philippine team improved for Asian Games,” he said. “Good service (in Set 1).”

The Filipinas had raced to a 9-2 lead in the opening frame, as the Thais struggled to handle the serves of Jaja Santiago who finished with three aces. But they got their act together midway through, hacked out a tough 25-22 win, then cruised the rest of the way.

Still, the fight that the Filipinas put up made an impression on the Thais.

“Good game,” Thinkaow told Philippine media afterward.

National team coach Shaq delos Santos was gratified by the praise from the Thais.

“Thank you, thank you doon,” he said. “Happy kami … Ako, agree ako doon kasi gustong ipakita rin ng mga players na nag-iimprove din ‘yung team natin.

“And hopefully, habang tumatagal talaga, mas maimprove pa namin and talagang magtuluy-tuloy ‘tong ganitong klase ng exposure,” he added.

The Philippine team returns to action on August 21 against another powerhouse in Japan.

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UAAP: De Jesus tips hat to Lady Bulldogs, Meneses — ‘Very solid yung NU’

UAAP: De Jesus tips hat to Lady Bulldogs, Meneses — ‘Very solid yung NU’

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

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The National University Lady Bulldogs in UAAP Season 87. Photo from UAAP Media.The National University Lady Bulldogs in UAAP Season 87. Photo from UAAP Media.MANILA — De La Salle University head coach Ramil de Jesus had a front row seat to National University's display of their prowess on Sunday, as the Lady Bulldogs opened their title defense with a victory.

The Sherwin Meneses-mentored team got one over de Jesus and his Lady Spikers, with NU sweeping La Salle on Sunday.

The veteran coach was admittedly in awe of the impressive performance of the hitters from Jhocson Street.

“Very solid yung NU,” the multi-titled coach commented. “Kumbaga, kilalang-kilala nila yung isa't isa. Yun ang isa sa mga strengths nila. Dahil sa tagal nila magkakasama. Alam nila yung weaknesses, and alam nila yung strengths.”

De Jesus also commended Meneses who took over the spot that NU’s former tactician left, Season 86 champion mentor Norman Miguel.

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“Happy ako para sa kanya, kasi halos lahat ng team na napuntahan niya, maayos and buo,” said de Jesus. “Yung pinapasok niyang sistema unti-unti nang nakukuha.”

Meneses’ system would be crucial for the present core of Lady Bulldogs as they have won two championships since 2022, with Bella Belen and the rest of the squad winning Season 84 with Karl Dimaculangan and just last year with Miguel.

However, de Jesus emphasized that the main foundation of this success -- aside from their coaches -- is the solid volleyball program of NU from high school to the collegiate ranks.

“Actually, yung NU, hindi lang naman yung Season 84 eh,” he said. “Since sa high school, magkakasama na yun. So, magtagal na talaga sila magkakasama.”

“Advantage talaga na yun. And then, alam din nila kung paanong hindi sila mara-rattle. Alam nila kung sino yung go-to-guy talaga, so very solid yung NU,” he continued.

And this, acknowledged de Jesus, is a design that is very challenging to sustain.

“Every year nag-evolve yung volleyball eh,” he said. “So, ang challenge ngayon eh, kung kayang maka-adapt nung, lalo na recruitment kasi yung problema eh.”

“Pag medyo active ka sa pagre-recruit, and then yung lahat ng Class A na player yung makukuha mo, advantage yun.”

“Pero kung makakakuha ka ng Class B, napakahirap i-develop, and then isabay doon sa Class A? Mahabang proseso yun,” added de Jesus, who is now on his 28th year as Lady Spikers head coach.

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