Alas Pilipinas Women will face Japan's SAGA Hisamitsu Springs on September 7-8, looking to use the friendly matches to gain international experience and improve their game without veteran Jia de Guzman.
Alas Pilipinas Women will have another opportunity to gain more international experience as they goes up against the Saga Hisamitsu Springs of Japan during the ‘Alas Pilipinas Invitationals on September 7-8 at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
The Filipinas are coming off bronze medal finishes in the Southeast Asian Volleyball League (SEA V.League), defeating Indonesia for the podium finish in both legs.
As they face the Hisamitsu Springs, Alas Women will be playing without team captain Jia de Guzman, who returned to her club team, Denso Airybees, in Japan.
Ready to lead the squad is game captain Dawn Macandili-Catindig, who is excited to take in all the lessons they will get from facing the likes of outside hitter Miyu Nagaoka and setter Erika Sakae.
“Siyempre malaking responsibility siya, kasi ang hirap din na wala si Jia. I have to work extra hard to guide the team,” Macandili-Catindig told reporters during the Alas Pilipinas Invitationals press conference.
“Hindi naman alagain ‘yung teammates ko. Very professional naman silang lahat, so it’s kind of easy. Pero if we’re going towards that goal, we have to maintain the system and continue the system,” she added.
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This will also be the case for fellow libero Jen Nierva, who admitted some nerves in facing a champion team like the Hisamitsu Springs.
The Hisamitsu Springs last won the Japan SV.League in 2022.
“It’s very scary to play with these kinds of teams because of course, they’re one of the best. We just heard na they’re nine-time champions,” said Nierva.
“We’re very grateful to get even a chance to experience kung gaano sila kagaling and kung gaano sila katalino maglaro,” she added.
Though it will be just a friendly competition, Alas Women will be using these matches to further improve their game.
“It’s always a good opportunity kapag you’re gonna face a stronger team. It means that talagang madami kang matututunan. We’re gonna take this opportunity talaga na ma-absorb lahat ng lessons, individually and as a team,” said Macandili-Catindig.
“We’re just going to enjoy every moment and enjoy every point, and grasp everything that we can from them, and hopefully ma-improve namin lahat ng kung ano yung kailangan naming ma-improve for the following matches na ilalaro namin,” Nierva added.