Insistence on hard work reaps dividends for Cagayan Valley coach Pamilar

MANILA, Philippines – It's a cliché, but Nes Pamilar is a stickler and a firm believer in preparing well and hard.

So when the Cagayan Valley Rising Suns swept everyone on sight to close in on an improbably perfect season, it’s the product of Pamilar's constant plodding to mentally and physically prepare for each game.

"For me, talent is not enough to succeed. You got to back it up with hard work, preparation and training," said Pamilar in Filipino moments after his team edged Smart, 26-24, 25-11, 23-25, 11-25, 15-12, in Game One of their Shakey's V-League Season 10 Open Conference at The Arena in San Juan City.

“That’s why I don’t mind being like a broken record to my girls telling them work, prepare and train hard every time I get the chance,” he added.

And thanks to Pamilar’s stubbornness, Cagayan has racked up 15 straight wins, one win shy of a perfect season.

Game Two is scheduled on Sunday at same venue while a deciding Game Three, if necessary, is on Oct. 27 either at the San Juan venue or at The MOA Arena in Pasay City.

It also helps that the Rising Suns have been together for over a couple of years now and they have two of the most versatile and efficient Thai duo of Kannika Thipachot and Phomia Soraya, the league’s best scorer and setter, respectively.

“It’s always an advantage playing together for a long time now because of the good chemistry and familiarity with one another,” said Pamilar. “We’re also lucky to have two Thais who have adapted to our local players well.”

But Pamilar insists the job isn’t yet done.

“We know Smart will try to make some adjustments, they can’t be here in the finals if they’re not good. They’re a tough team, we just need to play tougher,” said Pamilar.