The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
Thailand has been making waves in the Volleyball Nations League after it stunned China, ranked world no. 2, for a 3-1 start in Week 1 in Turkey.
Before the start of Week 2 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, the Thais dominated the Philippine women’s volleyball team, in their international friendly game at San Juan Arena.
The Philippine women’s volleyball team has suffered a medal drought in the SEA Games, last winning a bronze back in 2005, and getting defeated by Thailand in multiple tournaments.
National team coach Jorge Souza de Brito said one of the major problems of the Philippines in volleyball is its international calendar.
“It’s hard to talk about this because thinking about our international schedule, it’s not easy to explain. It’s a long way and a hard way,” said the Brazilian coach.
De Brito, who started as a consultant in 2021, trained National University players Bella Belen, Ivy Lacsina, Jennifer Nierva, Alyssa Solomon, and Kamille Cal, University of Santo Tomas star Eya Laure and Ateneo spiker Faith Nisperos.
However, the youth-laden team that saw action in the 2021 Asian Club Championship was replaced for the 31st SEA Games in Vietnam due to conflicts with the ongoing UAAP Season 84.
De Brito stressed the importance of the international schedule to strengthen the program. “But we have to find out because by doing this kind of adjustments in the future, you’ll have our level going up,” he said.
The 1992 Olympic medalist from Brazil said Thailand has reached this high level because of its preparation and commitment to the program
“They are prepared to play in the VNL and they used the SEA Games for that. They’ve been practicing on the national team for a long time. They are really at a good level,” he said.
For long-time national team member Alyssa Valdez, who recently played in their fourth-place finish in Hanoi, the Thais’ level is really different and the federation and stakeholders just have to invest in the program until it reaches greater heights.
“I think we really have to invest in our program. I’ve played with this team for a very long time since we’re young in under 16. I saw how their program went to different countries, different tournaments,” said Valdez.
She said the national program didn’t stop working to reach a high level. The Philippine women’s volleyball squad just really needs more international games and even friendly games like this. “Hopefully after those experiences, we can improve and have that chemistry and be organized as a team,” she said.