NAKHON RATCHASIMA, Thailand—Things are looking up for Philippine volleyball, and no one is more optimistic than Majoy Baron.
The 24-year-old Baron, who just won the Best Middle Blocker award in the Asean Volleyball Grand Prix, feels the team just took a big leap toward its goal to reclaim its lost glory in Southeast Asia.
“I think it’s possible. Because you see we only had a few days to train and we saw improvement in every game,” said Baron, a former UAAP Most Valuable Player.
“We have a lot of potential, but we need to establish our foundation and a longer training time,” said Baron, who averaged 4.6 kill blocks per game during the inaugural edition of the Asean GP.
But longer time in training is not possible without the green light from club teams where all the players are attached.
“We saw it happen with Thailand, we can also do it,” she added. “Here, they (Thai national team) enjoy everybody’s support.”
The former La Salle standout said the country’s third-place finish is a clear indication that Philippine volleyball is in the upswing—after more than a decade in the doldrums.
Thailand crushed Indonesia to capture the title of the inaugural meet, which will have its second leg in Laguna from Oct. 4-6.
“Personally, my mindset is get everything I can get, there’s nothing to lose and everything to gain, that’s why when we took a set against Thailand, it was a big deal because I don’t know when the last time we did that to Thailand,” she said.
The Philippines last won a SEA Games gold in 1993. Its last medal was a bronze in 2005.
Before that, the country ruled six SEA Games editions starting in 1977.
But it has been rocked by infighting inside the volleyball association back in the mid-’90s, before the bitter club league wars erupted in early 2010.
“If only the clubs can be united and the volleyball community will come as one, everything is possible,” said Baron. “But of course, it’s going to take a lot of work.”