PSL-F2 Logistics Manila team captain Rachel Daquis during the FIVB Women’s Club World Championships. Photo by Marc Reyes
SEPARATE the women from the girls.
The PSL-F2 Logistics Manila get to experience that first hand as it starts its campaign in the FIVB Women’s Club Championships Tuesday battling top club Rexona SESC at SM Mall of Asia Arena.
With seven Filipina players in the club, the PSL-F2 Logistics Manila plunges head-long into the “NBA” of volleyball and gain experience playing against a field strewn with Olympic medalists
“We are going in with our best form, we respect the high level of competition,” said coach PSL-F2 coach Moro Branislav. “We only played together for 25 days. But maybe we can beat Rexona.”
Rexona coach Bernardo Rezende said it’s going to be learning experience for them because they are playing with a new group.
“We have all-star teams here in one tournament,” Rexende said. “We are here to lear and work out and improve.”
PSL-F2 team captain Rachel Anne Daquis said she’s “excited to play against the top players in the world and gain experience that we can use in the future.”
Brasnilav added: “Philippine volleyball has won even before this tournament began.”
Vakifbank Istanbul takes on Hisamitsu Springs in the opening match at 10 a.m. before Volero Zurich tangles with Bangkok Glass at 1 p.m.
Pomi Casalmaggiore locks horns with Eczacibasi Vitra at 4:30 p.m., before the home team squares off with Rexona SESC at 7:30 p.m.
Comprising the PSL-F2 Logistics are locals Daquis, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Ces Molina, Mika Reyes, Jaja Santiago, Jen Reyes and Kim Fajardo, and foreigners Lindsay Stalzer, Yevgeniya Nyukhalova, Tichaya Boolnert, Ekaterina Krivets, Stephanie Niemer and Yuri Fukuda.
Three-time Grand Prix champion Gabi Gumaraes and libero Fabi Oliveira will banner Rexona.