Japanese coach to call shots for PSL team in FIVB World tilt

The local players, along with Philippine Superliga (PSL) president Ramon ‘Tats’ Suzara and Eventcourt CEO Peter Bratschi pose after the appointment of Japanese mentor Shun Takahasi as the team’s coach for the FIVB Women’s Club World Championship Thursday night at the Crimson Hotel. The FIVB Women’s Club World Championship is set Oct. 18-23 at the SM-MOA Arena.

THE PHILIPPINE Superliga named Japanese mentor Shun Takahashi as head coach of PSL All Stars which will compete in the FIVB Women’s Club World Championship on Oct. 18 to 23 at Mall of Asia Arena.

Takahashi, who was assistant coach of the Japanese national team and several other club teams, will lead a coaching staff composed of PSL coaches including Ramil de Jesus of F2 Logistics and Sammy Acaylar of Cignal.

De Jesus and Acaylar will serve as assistant coaches while Petron’s George Pascua and Francis Vicente of Generika will be team statisticians.

The trainers are Tina Salak of Army, Michael Carino of Cignal, Ian Fernandez of Foton and Noel Orcollo of F2 Logistics. Sports medicine specialist Jose Raul Canlas is team doctor.

“This is a national endeavor so might as well seek the support of the best coaches in the country today,” said PSL president Ramon “Tats” Suzara.

The PSL All Stars include Filipinos Jen Reyes, Ces Molina, Rachel Anne Daquis, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Mika Reyes, Kim Fajardo and Jaja Santiago.

There will be seven foreign players who will reinforce them that reportedly includes Kristy Jaeckel of the United States and Lynda Morales of Puerto Rico.