FOUR veteran players from different Philippine Super Liga teams have been added to the Foton-Pilipinas team that will represent the country in the coming Asian Women’s Club Championship.
They are Aby Marano, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Rachel Ann Daquis and Jen Reyes, who are expected to be steadying influences on the team as it faces tough competition in the tournament featuring top women’s club volleyball teams.
“We are taking our participation here very seriously and we believe that the addition of these four veterans will be a big help for our players, considering all four have played in previous editions of the tournament,” said team manager Alvin Lu, who is confident that the entry of last year’s Grand Prix MVP Lyndsay Stalzer and Ariel Usher to the team will bolster further the chances of the Tornadoes to make it to the Top 4. “I am 70% sure that we will achieve our objective.”
Foton-Pilipinas head coach Vilet Ponce de Leon said: “Their international playing experience will certainly help our young players in coping with the pressure of playing against strong foreign teams. For me, that would be the biggest contribution of Marano, Daquis, Gonzaga, and Reyes.”
She added that the four reinforcements also strengthened the team in their respective playing positions.
“I think this is a competitive team and the fact that our imports are already familiar practically with all of us will be a big factor. We had no problems adjusting to our Foton teammates. We were all instantly comfortable playing with one another. It is more on adjusting to the plays but not that difficult too,” said Marano.
Gonzaga, meanwhile, believes the biggest challenge for the team is the height factor, plus the fact that “they have a more solid foundation for their volleyball program because of the long time that the other countries have been developing the sport.”
Daquis was very clear on her role. “I will be the “ate” to the other players inside and outside the court and because we have played a lot before with the foreign players, we will share with our teammates what we know of the opponents.”
Reyes, the smallest player on the line-up, will be playing a big role on defense. “I am a defense specialist and that is where I will contribute.”
Jaja Santiago summed up her and the rest of her Foton teammates’ response to the entry of the four. “Madali silang makisama at pakisamahan, at alam naming lahat na malaki maitutulong nila sa team.”
From Sept. 3 to 11, all roads for local volleyball fabs will lead to the Alonte gym in Binan, Laguna, where the tournament will be held.