AFTER their bronze medal finish in the last AVC Challenge Cup, Alas Pilipinas national women’s team coach Jorge Souza de Brito intends to have his charges making an even bigger impact in the FIVB Challenger Cup opening on July 4 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
“We have more time now that the guys are together longer. Since we have more time, we can prepare better,” said Souza de Brito over the weekend during the last match day of the Volleyball Nations League at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
“The expectations are supposed to be always high so we have to work really hard and not stay idle so we can match if not surpass our performance in the last AVC Challenge Cup,” the Brazilian tactician said.
He bared that Premier Volleyball League star Jema Galanza and two-time UAAP MVP Bella Belen have been added to the national pool, but multi-awarded spiker Tots Carlos will be sidelined for the forthcoming tourney.
“We have the same players. Of course, we’re gonna add but for but now we have 18 players, including Jema (Galanza), (Bella) Belen. The pool is almost complete,” De Brito said.
“Tots Carlos is a valuable player but Rebisco will issue statement about her national team absence soon,” he said.
He revealed that he and his wards are bracing for a clash with newly-crowned AVC Challenger Cup champ Vietnam, saying: “It’s always hard to play Vietnam but we intend to prepare hard against them.”
