PSL-F2 Manila’s date with history

PSL F2 Logistics Manila. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

It all comes down to this.

After five days of battling some of the strongest club teams around the world, the Philippine squad PSL-F2 Logistics reinforced by foreign players is relegated to playing for seventh place in the FIVB Women’s Club World Championship on Sunday.

Seventh place in a field of eight teams?

While some may dismiss that as mere consolation, it will still be historic—and yes, a source of Pinoy Pride—if the country’s bets are able to achieve it.

The crew mentored by Serbian Moro Branislav is confident about their chances against Bangkok Glass, a team bannered by Thai players who have been lording over the Southeast Asian and even the Asian volleyball scene.

“I believe we have a big chance tomorrow,” Branislav said Saturday. “But Bangkok Glass is not not a good team.”

“Maybe it will be the first time in history that a Philippine team will win in a world club competition,” he added.

Here are some things the PSL-F2 Logistics squad needs to do to upset the powerhouse Bangkok Glass team.

1. Do not come in the game intimidated

True, Bangkok Glass is one of the best clubs in Asia, but the PSL squad has shown that it can go toe-to-toe with some of the world’s best albeit in selected sets only.

“(The girls should) have the confidence to do it. Sometimes, it’s hard to go on the floor against a strong team you have not even won a set against. They should get that out of their mindset,” volleyball analyst Dr. Ian Laurel told INQUIRER.net.

READ: Branislav confident PSL-F2 Logistics can conquer Bangkok Glass

Local stars Jovelyn Gonzaga and Kim Fajardo say they will be coming into the game spirited.

“Intimidation, wala. More on excited na tapusin ‘yung journey namin sa World, tapusin namin ng maganda (We do not feel intimidated. We are more excited to finish our journey in the world stage on a good note),” Gonzaga said.

“Sa una lang naman ‘yun, sa mga susunod, nasanay na rin (It’s only in the beginning, I’ve gotten used to it),” says Fajardo when asked if she feels pressured before an expectant crowd.

2. Start strong, but finish stronger

The PSL Manila team has had the fate of keeping up with the other teams at the beginning of the set only to falter in the end. It has also shown that third set is its most favorite set, even winning that frame against the defending world champion, Eczacibasi Vitra.

But against Bangkok Glass, they cannot afford to start slow.

And it all starts with the basics—passing the ball and setting up a play, no shortcuts.

“They need to go back to what works, follow the rules of volleyball, pass first, you set, then you hit. You cannot take it out of sequence. Sometimes, they get caught out of defensive pose because nakaabang na para pumalo (they are already anticipating to hit). They need to stay disciplined,” volleyball analyst Tex Suter said.

Import Stephanie Niemer agrees: “When we’re good, we’re good. We just gotta focus, do things at a time. Start with a good pass.”

3. Fajardo, Santiago, Stalzer, Niemer impressive, but Nyukhalova needs more sets

PSL-F2 Logistic’s Jaja Santiago powers a hit through Rexona’s defense. TRISTAN TAMAYO/INQUIRER.net

Both Laurel and Suter are impressed by the showing of setter Kim Fajardo.

“Kim Fajardo is evolving. Kaunti pa( She can do more), she needs to set at the world standard, pero nakikita mo (but you can see that) she’s evolving,” Sutter said.

They also named Stephanie Niemer, Lindsay Stalzer and Jaja Santiago as the standouts of the team.

But Sutter thinks that Ukrainian opposite spiker Yevegniya Nyukhalova can assert herself more to lessen the pressure on open hitters Niemer and Stalzer. Fajardo has had the tendency of going exclusively to them even after good receptions.

“I’d like to see Nyukhalova step up. She probably needs a few more sets from the pipe, and the opposite, just to pull the blockers away from Stephanie,” Sutter opined.

4. Locals must be ready to step up

It was a moment of pride seeing the PSL-F2 Logistics squad go all-Filipino in the second frame of their match against Vitra.

Facing a Bangkok Glass team that is not as tall as the others, Branislav can again toy with the idea of having the locals play an entire set at least. This will be a good barometer on how far Philippine volleyball has gone, and how far more it can go.

“Nakakatuwa; pangarap ko personally na makalaban sila. Gusto ko rin makita kung saang level na ‘yung Philippine volleyball, at the same time makalaban ko idols ko, (It makes me happy because it’s been my personal dream to face them. I also want to see where the level of Philippine volleyball is and at the same time test the wares of my idols),” Gonzaga said when asked on her thoughts about playing Bangkok Glass.

READ: Branislav expects PH volleyball to improve 30-40% after FIVB tilt

Team captain Rachel Daquis, who has been a sparkplug each time she enters the court, also hopes to play against the Asian powerhouse.

“I hope we perform well. I hope we have time to play, especially the locals,” she said.

5. Savor the moment

This chance does not happen all the time.

Being the first Filipino squad to participate in the world club tournament, the PSL-F2 ladies have already made history. But they can make it even sweeter with a victory against Bangkok Glass.

READ: Spikers’ spectacle

While this may pressure the ladies, they also need to enjoy the match and savor the moment.

“Just play the game, take care of the little things and let the big things take care of themselves,” Sutter said. “Don’t play the score, play the point, take it point by point.”

This, and with the trademark Pinoy Puso (Filipino heart), that even the imports have seemingly adapted.

“The biggest thing is our fighting spirit right now. We have all the tools in our belt to beat Bangkok Glass, so we just need to execute the game plan and fight with heart,” Stalzer said.

And while the road to making history may not be an easy one, Gonzaga and the team are unperturbed.

“Walang imposible basta andiyan ‘yung puso.”