F2 Logistics coach Benson Bocboc. –PVL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Ramil De Jesus won’t be available for F2 Logistics again as Benson Bocboc will call the shots in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference.
Bocboc, the longtime assistant of De Jesus, said their head coach will not be part of their return in the season-ending tournament. But he didn’t state the reason.
“Again he’s not available so I will be stepping up as the head coach of F2 Logistics,” the Cargo Movers coach told the reporters.
Without De Jesus in their PVL debut last Open Conference, F2 Logistics finished third with a 2-2 record in the group stage, got eliminated by a twice-to-beat Petro Gazz in the quarterfinals, and fell to sixth place in the classification stage.
But this time, the Cargo Movers will parade a loaded line-up with Lindsay Stalzer and Kalei Mau returning, while Ivy Lacsina signing with their team.
Although Mau and Stalzer are still adjusting as they just arrived last month, Bocboc said the bond that the two formed with the squad three years ago is still there. That’s why they made their American import as their team captain
“She knows our team, the general system. In general, she knows the Philippine volleyball so she’s perfect for the position,” said Bocboc on Stalzer, who has been playing in the Philippines since 2014.
“Our first training was last week so we’re rushing a bit. But the local players are prepared and then we’re just waiting how will Lindsay and Kalei will jell back. But so far they’re showing good cohesiveness inside the court,” he added.
Bocboc also bared that Kim Fajardo is doing fine, believing his setter will be in better form in orchestrating plays for Kianna Dy, Majoy Baron, Ara Galang, Aby Marano, and Tin Tiamzon.
“Kim is okay during the time of our training. But she has to attend some medical reason. But I think she’s doing better compared to last conference. Much better, much better,” he said.
For the F2 Logistics coach, Creamline is the team to beat this conference. But their focus is win the crown by taking it one game at a time starting on Tuesday against Chery Tiggo at PhilSports Arena.
“For us, we’re looking at Creamline. Nothing else. And we’ll get that first place,” Bocboc said. “Chery Tiggo had a lot of changes in their line-up, especially in the middle, but the key players are still there and of course we have to look into their import. We have to do that real time, on the spot.”