Nationals in impressive debut

The national women’s volleyball team flexed its muscles, pulling off a 25-14, 25-18, 25-16 win over PSL Shine in the Philippine Superliga (PSL) Super Cup Tuesday night at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Alyssa Valdez and Jia Morado didn’t see action, but it hardly mattered as the Nationals uncorked a well-balanced assault to register a win in the pocket tournament that serves as a tuneup for the 30th Southeast Asian Games that the country will host from Nov. 30 to Dec. 11.

Mylene Paat finished with eight points, while Ces Molina and Majoy Baron tallied seven apiece for the Nationals, who got some help from middle blocker Maddie Madayag.

“Of course we’re happy with the win, but we’re still a work in progress,” said national team coach Shaq Delos Santos. “We want to keep on improving and we have to work hard for it.”

Delos Santos was pleased to see that his wards stepped up despite the absence of Valdez and Morado, who missed the first match of this three-game pocket tourney as they need to prepare for their finals game for Creamline against PetroGazz in the Premier Volleyball League.

Jovelyn Gonzaga and Eya Laure had six points apiece while Madayag contributed three attacks, one block and one service ace.

Rhea Dimaculangan had 13 excellent sets and three aces in the match that took an hour and 13 minutes to finish.

“Definitely, I’m happy, I saw what I want to see with my team, everybody stepped up,” said Delos Santos. “We need to cover up for their [Valdez and Morado’s] absence and the team did not disappoint.”

“It can’t be helped that there will be conflict and challenges, but right now, with less than a month before the SEA Games, we are choosing to find ways to solve the problem instead of focusing on the problem,” he added.

MJ Philips scored seven attacks and one block for Team Shine.