National volley team looking to learn from Japanese coach anew

More than preparing for the 18th Asian Games, the two-week training of the national women’s volleyball team in Japan will also reunite it with prolific Japanese mentor Akiyoshi Kawamoto.

Kawamoto, the head coach of the Okayama Seagulls, is tipped to check on the progress of the Nationals when they meet again in the boot camp in Okayama starting August 5.

Kawamoto is such a special coach.

He was the mentor who whipped the Nationals to fighting condition when they were preparing for the 29th Southeast Asian Games and the AVC Asian Senior Championship last year.

The Philippines failed to hit its target, but through Kawamoto’s pointers, Dawn Macandili emerged as Asia’s second best libero, much to the delight of the local volleyball fans who are hoping to see the Nationals regain their once lofty status in the region.

“You can be a worldclass libero,” he told Macandili at the final stretch of the four-day joint training.

“You just have to avoid your stiffness at the backline. Your stance should be bouncy so you can be more flexible in defending the floor.”

Unfortunately, Macandili couldn’t join the trip as she still has to attend to some pressing school matters.

Still, the Nationals will head to Japan with added firepower.—