Errors hound Pinay spikers in tune up match vs Brazilian club

Head coach Jorge Edson Souza de Brito spotted a major problem in the Philippine women’s volleyball team’s game which they need to work on before heading to the Hanoi Southeast Asian Games next month.

The Filipinas threw away 41 points off errors in five sets of play against Superliga A mainstay Sao Caetano in the first of a series of tune-up matches scheduled in their Brazil training camp.

Upon arriving in Sao Paulo after a 40-hour flight from, the Nationals stepped up to the challenge of the taller and more experienced opponents but the Brazilians proved too much for De Brito’s squad with the Filipinas winning only one set. Despite the loss, De Brito commended his wards.

“We did what we were supposed to do. Despite arriving just last night after the long trip, we did a good job. We will produce better results as they practice more together as a team,” he said.

De Brito, who won gold for Brazil in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, added that he is just relieved that the team remains healthy even after a tiring trip and competitive match.

“Good thing there are no injuries on our first day. I’m very proud of them because they believe in themselves,” he said.

Tied at 27 in the fourth set, Mylene Paat scored a crucial hit before Ces Molina blocked a Brazilian attack for their lone set win.

Paat led all scorers with nine points while Molina, Jema Galanza, Kat Tolentino and Alyssa Valdez all had eight markers apiece. Jaja Santiago, who joined the national team in their layover in Istanbul, tallied six attacks and a kill block.

The Filipinas will face four more Brazilian clubs during their two-week build up for the SEA Games set 12 to 23 May.

De Brito said the squad will undergo twice-a-day training in Sportville in Barueri before going to their second tune up game.