Teams Choco Mucho and Rebisco in the AVC club tournament. PH VOLLEYBALL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Kalei Mau believes the national team program is on the right track following Team Choco Mucho’s sixth finish in the 2021 AVC Asian Women’s Club Volleyball Championship in Rakhon Natchasima in Thailand.
Choco Mucho’s final standing was better by two places from four years prior when the Philippines placed eighth in the same tournament that was held in Biñan.
“I think the future of the Philippine volleyball program is going to be very bright as long as we continue to bring up each other and build on the program,” said Mau.
“The younger girls showed really, really great performances and if we just keep on building up on a core, I think we can get better.”
Team Choco Mucho lost to Central Asian powerhouse Zhetysu, winner of nine Kazakh national titles, 25-14, 25-11, 25-23, in the fifth place classification match.
Despite the sweep, the Filipinos put up a last-ditch fight in the third set coming back from a 22-15 deficit and tying the set at 23-all.
“There’s no other way but up from here,” said Mau.
Ramon “Tats” Suzara, president of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation, said also praised the Philippines’ run in the continental meet, notjing that the program is still in its early stages.
The Philippines sent two teams in the tournament, Team Rebisco and Team Choco Mucho, who were made up of players from the national pool.
Team Rebisco, comprised mostly of international debutantes, finished seventh out of seven teams in the tournament.
“Well done for the national team program that’s still in its infant stage,” said Suzara.