Women’s volley team targets bronze
Alaska tries to regain a share of the lead with Barako Bull when it clashes with NLEX today in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena.
With the Road Warriors struggling, the Aces are expected to cruise to their fifth win in six games in their 4:15 p.m. encounter.
The Energy Cola are surprisingly on top of the standings with a 5-1 card – thanks to a 112-103 demolition of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters last Sunday.
Despite the Road Warriors’ record of 1-4, Aces Coach Alex Compton is not taking them lightly, saying records are sometimes deceiving.
“A few bounces haven’t gone their way this conference but I believe their record is deceiving and we need to play our best basketball from start to finish if we want to win this one,” said Compton.
Compton added that NLEX’s depth will pose a challenge for Alaska to keep its hot form.
“NLEX is a well-coached, it’s a veteran team that plays smart basketball,” said Compton. “They have a dominant center in Asi Taulava, a high-flying import in Kwame Alexander, an excellent point guard in Jonas Villanueva, and a bunch of shooters and scorers around these guys.”
Alaska will be led by its import Romeo Travis, who has been impressive with averages of 25.6 points and 13 rebounds per game.
Looking to once again provide Travis with the all-out support are Calvin Abueva, Cyrus Baguio, Sonny Thoss, JVee Casio, Dondon Hontiveros, RJ Jazul, Vic Manuel and rookie Chris Banchero.
NLEX has lost its last two assignments to Talk ‘N Text (108-89) and Kia (85-82) after beating Meralco (91-84) last May 13.
Meanwhile, Meralco and Talk ‘N Text collide in the second game at 7 p.m.
The Bolts are coming off an 8772 victory over the Blackwater Elite while the Tropang Texters are eager to bounce back following a 123-120 setback to the Globalport Batang Pier.
Multi-titled coach Roger Gorayeb yesterday cautioned against expecting too much from the national women’s volleyball team in the 28th Southeast Asian Games which kick off Friday in Singapore.
“Malaki ang pagkakaiba ng laban sa SEA Games sa mga nakikita dito. Unang una, dalawa lang ang six-footers natin. Mga kalaban natin matatangkad lahat, kaya iba ang laban,” said Gorayeb who on Sunday steered PLDT Home Ultera to the championship in the Shakey’s V-League Season 12 Open Conference.
Four of his players, led by Alyssa Valdez, are members of the squad, but Gorayeb said they are still in the process of determining the six starters.
“Last week lang kami nakapag-practice ng buo because of the many problems encountered by the association,” he said.
Gorayeb has ordered twicea-day practices for the squad which is playing in the Games after an absence of 10 years.
“At this point in time, ayokong mag-isip ng negative. Ang sa akin lang, basta maglalaro kami doon, gagawin lang namin ang lahat. Ngayon lang tayo magpapadala ng team in 10 years. Gusto lang namin magsimulan nang maganda itong programa na ito,” said Gorayeb.
Gorayeb said they are going to play teams that have been together for years.
He cited the Thailand squad that placed second in the last Asian Under-23 that the country hosted a few weeks ago.
“Yung team na yun ang maglalaro sa 2020 Olympics sa Tokyo. Galing sila sa Italy bago pumunta dito,” he said.
Gorayeb, however, gave the Under-23 team credit for beating Iran and Kazakhstan in the tournament.
“Maganda ang pinakita ng mga bata kaya tuloy mataas ngayon ang expectations,” he said.
Gorayeb said their modest target is bronze.
“Malakas talaga Thailand and Vietnam. Sila pa rin ang maglalaban sa final,” he said.
Grouped with Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia, Gorayeb said their main goal is to beat Indonesia to advance to the crossover semifinals.
The other group is made up of Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia.
“Kailangang manalo sa Indonesia kasi imposible talunin Vietnam,” he said, adding that Malaysia is not too hard to beat.
He is aware of the big responsibility that he carries.
“Another chapter na. Bigger in scope, bigger in responsibility,” said Gorayeb. “Dito kasi sa V-League ang dala namin, kumpanya lang. Doon sa SEA Games, dala namin buong Pilipinas. Kailangang mag-focus na kami kaagad kasi malapit nang magsimula,” he added.
Aside from Valdez, the other PLDT players in the national squad are Finals MVP Jaja Santiago, libero Den-den Lazaro and Gretchel Soltones. Three players from dethroned champion Army are also in the squad: Dindin Santiago-Manabat and former league MVPs Jovelyn Gonzaga and Rachel Anne Daquis.
Completing the cast are Bea De Leon, Rhea Dimaculangan, Aby Maraño, Jia Morado, and Maika Ortiz. (With a report from Kristel Satumbaga)