It wasn’t the best of welcomes for Tacloban in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference, but that start was a mistake the team is willing to immediately brush off.
Shola Alvarez said the Fighting Warays were still adjusting with each other, especially to imports Amporn Hyapha and Sasiwimol Sangpan, after their limited time together prior to the league’s opener on Sunday.
“Coach Nes (Pamilar) told us that we should just set aside this first game because this is already over and we can’t do anything about the result,” said Alvarez in Filpino at Filoil Flying V Centre.
Tacloban were subjected to a bitter opening day loss to PayMaya, 25-8, 33-31, 25-20, in a game that featured a shy bunch of Fighting Warays trying to not step on each others toes.
The Fighting Warays, who started training as a complete team midway through April, then found their groove in the second set although they eventually fizzled out in the third.
Alvarez, who played against Jovielyn Prado and Regine Arocha in the NCAA, said her familiarity with the other players helped her adjust quickly and it took them just the second set to sort things out.
“During the first set it was obvious we were still adjusting with each other, especially with the imports,” said Alvarez, who had seven points. “Then we talked right before the second set and that we should be more vocal on the floor.”