MANILA, Philippines — The Baguio Summer Spikers are at the bottom of the eight-team standings of the Shakey’s V-League Open Conference with a 0-3 slate (one set won versus nine lost sets). They are also at the cellar in almost every category (spiking, serving, digging, setting, and receiving). But you still wouldn’t know it. Their collective smiles are still radiant. There’s a joy to this team that can also be intoxicating.
It’s isn’t that they are happy to check something off their bucket list. They certainly aren’t here to be any team’s foils. They know their limitations and their expectations — it’s to be exposed to top-flight competition and to get better at the game.
There’s also some good cheer for them.
Xianny Tsuchiya is the 14th best scorer. Melai Dicksen is tied with UP’s Kathy Bersola for fifth in blocking. Ann Atuban is seventh in digging and ninth in receiving. And well, as a team they are fifth in blocking. So there are things to build on.
In the 10 sets they have played, four of them were close sets. The Summer Spikers start slow, settle down and compete. But as the sets go on, they waver due to a lack of experience, staying power, errors, the opponent adjusting to what they try to do, and sometimes, the rotation.
Ann Atuban is getting better. With better placement, she’ll be a huge weapon alongside Tsuchiya and Dicksen. I think that Colleen Rossi has good instincts and understands space. Not sure why she usually sits out the second set then returns mid-third set. By that time, she's a little cold.
With regards to floor defense, I think the spacing and support could be better. Not many people to backstop the blockers in the event of a drop shot.
I'd like to see more middle attacks, combination plays or even setups for the utility spiker. Maybe explore some fast plays. Basically, variety. If they mix it up, I think their attacking will be better.