Fired-up F2 faces Brazilian squad

Facing the top players in the world doesn’t seem to faze local team PSL-F2 Logistics Manila.

“We have very relaxed training,” team captain Rachel Anne Daquis bared. “We just lifted weights. We practiced with balls just lately.”

But coach Moro Branislav said the team will be on its maximum strength for the FIVB Women’s World Club Championship which starts today at Mall of Asia Arena.

The host squad will battle Rexona Sesc of Brazil in the 6:30 p.m. main game.

Daquis and six other Filipino players embody the country’s first real foray into world-level competitions. Expectations are not much of a concern though.

“This is for the promotion of Philippine volleyball,” said Branislav. “Philippine volleyball won even before this tournament starts.”

Joining Daquis in the PSL-F2 squad are Jovelyn Gonzaga, Jen Reyes, Mika Reyes, Kim Fajardo, Jaja Santiago and Ces Molina.

All eight coaches attested to the caliber of the players seeing action, including veritable superstars of the game like Zhu Ting (Vakifbank) of China, Gabi Gumares (Rexona) of Brazil and Foluke Akinradewo (Volero) of the United States.

“I’m excited to play because everything we can learn here we can use in future competitions,” added Daquis during the presser held yesterday at Diamond Hotel.

Eczasibasi Vitra coach Massimo Barbolini said: “This is a very hard and tough competition. It’s important we play our best day by day.”

“Some clubs teams have famous players who played in Olympics and Worlds,” said Hisamitsu coach Kumi Nakada, who was an Olympic gold medalist. “It’s very important for us because it will give us experience.”