POC-PSC volleybelles off to SEA Zonal elims

MANILA, Philippines - With nothing to lose and everything to gain, the POC-PSC Sports V-Belles leave for Vietnam today to compete in the Southeast Asia Sub-Zonal World women’s volleyball qualifiers firing off Friday in Khe Sanh. 

“We look on this tournament as an opportunity for our country to return to international competition. The players are in high spirits,” said head coach Roger Gorayeb of his charges during yesterday’s PSA forum at the Shakey’s Malate branch in Manila.

In a move to spare the country from sanctions after the Philippine Volleyball Federation declined to take part in the “mandatory event” of the Asian Volleyball Confederation, the Philippine Olympic Committee, through the initiative of POC first vice president Joey Romasanta, was given the go-signal by the AVC to form a squad to the Vietnam competition.

The POC then tapped the standouts of the recently concluded Shakey’s V-League, bannered by newly crowned champion National University Lady Bulldogs, to represent the country in the event, while veteran Ateneo mentor Gorayeb was the consensus choice as head coach.

“This team was formed at short notice and had only a week’s practice, so we only have modest expectations,” said Gorayeb.

Although short in experience, Gorayeb said he was impressed by the attitude and enthusiasm of the girls, most, if not all, will have their first taste of international competition.

“When they were asked if they’re willing to join the team, they didn’t ask whether or not there’s an allowance. They just asked who will be the coach. And when they were told that it would be me, they all agreed to go,” he said.

Smart Communications is the main sponsor of the team, the Philippine Sports Commission will be providing the airfare, while Accel is the official outfitter.

“Smart is one with the Filipino nation in wishing our volleyball team great success. Let’s relive the old glory,” said Smart Communications chief wireless advisor Doy Vea in a statement. 

After a week’s training, Gorayeb said he had observed glimpses of the potential of the V-Belles, spearheaded by towering siblings Dindin and Jaja Santiago, who will be at the forefront of their offense and defense.

“I can see the teamwork but my problem is how they will gel in so short a time,” he said, while thanking the POC, the PSC, Sports Vision, which runs the Shakey’s V-League, and sponsors Smart and Accel, for giving them the chance to play for the country.

The Filipinas open their campaign on Friday against the Vietnamese, who are the favorites to top the four-nation tourney also featuring Indonesia and Myanmar, and advance to the Asian Zonals in September.

“It’s tough to beat the Vietnamese since they already have a professional women’s league that features Russian imports. They will be very, very hard to beat,” said Gorayeb. “This does not mean, however, we won’t do our best. We will fight.”

On Saturday, the POC-PSC Sports V-Belles will go up against Indonesia, which Gorayeb said was another tough opponent, before closing out its campaign against Myanmar.