FILE – Kalei Mau. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
The much-awaited rebuild of the Philippine national women’s volleyball team has started in a bubble training camp in Laoag City. Also on their way there are famed Brazilian coach Jorge Edson Souza de Brito and powerful spiker Kalei Mau.
This was announced by Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Ramon “Tats” Suzara, who initiated the overhaul of the squad that has been under-performing despite the presence of big-name stars.
De Brito, an Olympic champion coach, has been granted a visa to work here as head coach of the squad and is expected to arrive in the country this weekend.
Mau, the 6-foot-2 Filipino-American open spiker, has also been allowed to don the national colors following her switch of official affiliation from United States Volleyball to PNVF.
The F2 Logistics’ main weapon will be coming right after her stint in Puerto Rico’s Liga de Voleibol Superior Femenino, where she plays for Changas de Naranjito.
“These are a couple of good news for Philippine volleyball. With Coach Jorge flying in soon and Mau already available to play for the country, we can now go on full throttle for the women’s national team training,” Suzara said.
Up in the horizon is the 21st Asian Seniors Women’s Championship which will be held in country in August, and the Hanoi Southeast Asian Games.