Vicente sets ‘humble’ goals for women’s volleyball team in SEA Games

PH Women’s National Volleyball team. Photo by Bong Lozada

National team head coach Francis Vicente is refusing to set lofty expectations for his squad for the upcoming 2017 Southeast Asian Games.

“We have a chance; I’m not saying what place, but we have a chance,” said Vicente in Filipino during the team’s media day at Arellano School of Law on Friday.

“I’m just being humble, I don’t want to say we’ll win gold, silver, or bronze, I’m just being conservative.”

The Philippines is grouped with hosts Malaysia and 2015 silver medalists Vietnam.

Vicente added they have the tools to matchup against the host team, they just have to avoid being overconfident.

“This team can win against Malaysia, as long as they don’t get too confident against the Malaysians,” said Vicente. “We just need the killer instinct.”

To prepare his team for the SEA Games and the 19th Asian Senior Women’s Volleyball Championship, which will take place in the Philippines in August, Vicente and crew will travel to Japan to hold a training camp.

The team will leave in late July for Japan and return to the country in August, and Vicente said they hope to improve their speed while abroad.

“They have to gain the speed, because it’s ideal for the team to be fast-paced while on the court,” said Vicente. “We have the height, we have the skills, but we need to boost our speed.”