PVL: Jerry Yee tempers expectations for new-look Farm Fresh

Farm Fresh Foxies coach Jerry Yee.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Farm Fresh coach Jerry Yee believes the Japanese system suits the physique of Filipino volleyball players.

Yee also hopes the Foxies will translate their training from their new coaching staff into a better 2024 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) season.

After making its PVL debut last year, Farm Fresh took its preparation to the next level as Yee has been working with consultant  Hideo Suzuki of Invitational Conference champion Kurashiki Ablaze and Master Shimizu, the Japanese trainer of the Foxies.

“For me personally, mas malapit yung ganoong system sa physique natin. They play with speed, accuracy. Hindi sila masyadong height or power-reliant. Ibang-iba ang disiplina nila malayong-malayo. Yung transmission yun nga from Japanese coaches to  Filipino players mahihirapan pero maganda na nandyan,” Yee told reporters.

(Personally, the Japanese system suits Filipino volleyball players. They play with speed, accuracy and they’re not too reliant on height or power. Their discipline is just on another level. The transmission from Japanese coaches to Filipino players won’t be easy but it’s good that it’s there.)

“As opposed to European style na iba naman ang nakasanayan ng European coaches, in my humble opinion lang yun ha. Sa tingin ko mas bagay ang Asian coaches kasi they understand yung Asian physique. Hindi naman tayo lalagpas ng 6-foot-5, 6-foot-4 yung mga players natin,” he added.

(In my humble opinion, I think having Asian coaches is better because they understand Asian physique as opposed to the European style and European coaches. We don’t have players who go beyond 6-foot-5.)

The PVL clubs have been embracing the Japanese system as Nxled coach Taka Minowa is also overseeing Akari’s training as the director of volleyball program. Petro Gazz also hired Koji Tsuzurabara as its new head coach, while mentors Shaq Delos Santos of Cignal, KungFu Reyes of Chery Tiggo and Lerma Giron of Galeries Tower also studied the tactics and discipline during University of Santo Tomas’ training camp in Japan.

True enough, Shimizu is eager to develop the Foxies, who only had two wins in two conferences last season, as he focuses on the team’s aggressiveness, speed, and instilling a winning mindset. 

“When I started in volleyball and until now, I don’t practice to lose,” the Japanese trainer said. “I teach them to win. I teach them to become champions. I cannot say second.  I want them to become champions.”

FILE–Farm Fresh Foxies.–PVL PHOTO

Farm Fresh added the veteran presence and experience from Caitlin Viray, Ely Kasilag, Anj Legacion, and Julia Angeles to team up with the young but promising group of Trisha Tubu, Louie Romero, Kate Santiago, Joan Narit, Rizza Cruz, and Pia Ildefonso. The Foxies also landed Jolina Dela Cruz, who is still recovering from a right ACL injury.

Yee is not yet satisfied with their progress since they are just getting started with the new players and Japanese coaches but he hopes to see consistency and resiliency when the league opens in February.

“Mabagal eh, nababagalan ako. Siyempre we have to adapt, kung ano ang mga bagong itinuturo kailangang i-implement. Di naman pwedeng we continue from wherever else we left off na parang start sa baba and unti-unti learn and re-learn, so nababagalan ako. Pero ganun talaga eh. Tya-tyagain namin,” Yee said.

(I find our progress slow. Of course we have to adapt to the new teachings. We can’t just pick up where we left off and like start at the bottom where we re-learn things bit by bit that’s why I feel it’s been a slow progress for us. But that’s how it is. We just need to be patient and persevere.)

“Hopefully lumaban, consistency. Hopefully, ma-correct natin yung mga previous mistakes natin. It won’t be easy having new players and may bago tayong consultant, siyempre may bago siyang i-implement. So medyo pressed for time na kami pero ganun talaga probably they say trust the process,” he added.

(Hopefully, we can put up a fight and have consistency. Hopefully, we’re able to correct our previoous mistakes. It won’t be easy having new players and a new consultant because he has something new to implement. So we’re a bit pressed for time but it is what it is, we just have to trust the process as they say.)

Farm Fresh seeks improvement from its two-win second All-Filipino Conference last year with the Japanese system and new players to bolster its campaign this 2024 season.

“Bata pa talaga ang team natin, ang core natin, so we need time to develop,” Yee said. “Sana better than last conference yun lang naman yun Yun ang basic goal natin, better than before, sana may kaunting improvement tayo. On paper mukhang malakas ang reinforcements namin pero hindi naman dahil hindi pa available si Jolina. Let’s see kailangan talagang mag-improve on court nung mga nakapaglaro na last season.”

(Our team, our core is still young so we need time to develop. I hope we’re better than last conference. That’s our basic goal which is to be beter than before and have even just a little bit of improvement. Our reinforcements look strong on paper but Jolina (Dela Cruz) is still not available. Let’s see but the players who played for us last season really need to improve on court.)