THE visiting Kobe Shinwa of Japan is preparing for the collegiate season back home.
Playing against the top three teams that made it to the final round of the Belo Philippine Superliga Invitational Conference will allow them to test how good they are.
Coach Kiyozaku Yamamoto said this during a team presentation yesterday at the Robinson’s Magnolia in Quezon City.
“We are looking forward to meeting the Top 3 teams. We would like to see how our defense can work against their offense,” said Yamamoto.
In its opening game today at 7 p.m., Shinwa clashes with the Foton Tornadoes at the FilOil Flying V Center in San Juan.
For Foton coach Moro Branislav, this will be a chance for the Tornadoes to face another Japanese squad and prove his team’s mettle.
The last time around, the NEC Rockets of Japan unraveled a fast-paced game and outplayed the Tornadoes, 25-13, 25-7, 25-15, in the classification matches of the Asian Volleyball Confederation Asian Women’s Club Championship last September at the Alonte Sports Arena in Binan City.
“The team is now good after playing them (Japanese) in the Asian Club. This is an important match,” said Branislav.
Coach George Pascua said their game with the Japanese will be a learning experience for the Cignal HD Spikers when they meet them on Friday.
Pascua had a chance to face a Japanese team when he was still calling the shots for Petron, which tangled with Japanese powerhouse Hisamitsu Springs in the AVC Asian Women’s Club Championship in Phu Ly, Vietnam in 2015.
The Tornadoes will play without star spiker Dindin Manabat, who sustained a Grade 2 MCL sprain and a partial ACL tear in their marathon match against Sta. Lucia last week.