The Philippine women’s volleyball team and Japan V.League club Himeji Victorina. Photo from PNVF
MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine women’s volleyball team fell to Japan V.League club Himeji Victorina, 21-25, 25-19, 13-25, 22-25, in a tune-up game on Saturday at Daicel Gymnasium in Himeji City, Japan.
It was the national team’s first tuneup since arriving in Japan on Thursday as part of its buildup for the Southeast Asian Games next month.
Captain Alyssa Valdez and her Creamline teammates Jia De Guzman, Tots Carlos, Jema Galanza, Michele Gumabao, Ced Domingo, and Kyla Atienza went to work during the second day of their two-week training camp.
Also seeing action for Brazilian coach Jorge Souza de Brito are Mylene Paat, Gel Cayuna, Chai Troncoso, Dell Palomata, Cherry Nunag, Kat Tolentino, and libero Bang Pineda.
National Teams Commission chairman Tonyboy Liao, who shared the results of the scrimmage, said the squad still needs to work on their reception.
“We have to improve our reception. We saw that during the game against Himeji,” he said.
Liao added that the national team could have another friendly against Himeji if the schedule permits.
The Philippine women’s volleyball team during its tune-up game against Japan V.League club Himeji Victoria in Himeji City in Japan. Photo from PNVF
The Victorina finished last in the 2022-23 V.League season with a 5-28 record in the 12-team field and will be relegated to Division 2 after losing their placing matches.
Joining Liao and the team are Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Tats Suzara and board member Ricky Palou. Suzara and Himeji chief Akira Hashimoto signed a friendship of agreement between the federation and the club.
“The Philippine Volleyball Federation and Victorina Himeji will continue to cooperate to share each other’s volleyball promotion and player skills enhancement programs and this is a sign of friendship,” the agreement signed by Suzara and Hashimoto stated.
The Nationals, who are seeking to end an 18-year medal drought in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia next month, will continue to train until April 28.
This is the second time that the Philippine team has trained in Japan since 2019.