Lessons learned as Hisamitsu cruises past Rebisco-PSL spikers

By: Marc Anthony Reyes - 7 years ago

Coach Francis Vicente to Rebisco PSL You didn’t play badly. You just lacked speed and volleyball IQ. Napainit nyo ulo nung Hapon. Be proud. PHOTO BY MARC REYES

Ust-Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan—For coach Francis Vicente, Rebisco PSL-Manila couldn’t have found a perfect tune-up match than Thursday’s opener against well-oiled Hisamitsu Springs.

Vicente said the team—gearing up for the Southeast Asian Games—learned a lot from the Japanese, especially in playing a fast-paced game, using court smarts, and applying floor defense.

“Because they are quick, Hisamitsu can afford to look out for open space; they wait until you move and then make their attack,” said Vicente after his wards suffered a 25-17, 25-10, 25-14 defeat at the hands of the 2002 and 2014 champion club.

“When [the Japanese] hit the ball, they look at the position of the hands blocking them and make adjustments,” said Vicente. “We need to learn that.”

Six-foot-5 Jaja Santiago towered over her Japanese counterparts, slamming kills for a game-high 16 points.

“It was a tough game and the Japanese were really fast,” said Santiago. “I just told myself to keep going and not be intimidated. We learned a lot from this game.”

The Philippines, also supported here by Grand Sports, Asics and Turkish Airlines, managed to taste the lead, 9-6, in the first set through Santiago’s power and some sneaky net drops by Kim Fajardo and Maika Ortiz.

“We need to stop doing that (drops), they don’t win matches,” Vicente said. “We need a systematic offensive pattern.”

Yet all in all, Vicente gave his players a passing grade.

“Why are you so sad?” asked head coach Francis Vicente during the post-game huddle inside the locker room. “You learned from them. You didn’t play badly. We just need more speed. More volleyball IQ. You got the Japanese coach worried in the first set. Be proud.”

Rebisco PSL-Manila will next face Vientin Bank of Vietnam on Friday hoping to score a breakthrough victory in this tough tournament that will be participated in by the eight best clubs in the region.