BY ABBY TORALBA
THE Philippine women’s volleyball team arrived in Japan yesterday for a two-week training camp, part of its preparations for the 32nd Southeast Asian Games next month.
After several days of training at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum, the national team set foot at the Land of the Rising Sun and is expected to hold a training session with V. League club team Himeji Victorina.
Star spiker Alyssa Valdez banners the Filipina spikers in Cambodia, with Brazilian mentor Jorge Souza de Brito calling the shots.
Last Tuesday, libero Bang Pineda replaced Kath Arado, who begged off due to an assortment of injuries.
Joining Valdez and Pineda are Jia Morado, Diana Mae Carlos, Jema Galanza, Michele Gumabao, Kyla Atienza, Mylene Paat, Kat Tolentino, Gel Cayuna, Glaudine Troncoso, Dell Palomata, and Cherry Nunag.
The national team is aiming to exceed its fourth-place finish last year.
The Philippines is grouped with SEA Games silver medalists Vietnam, hosts Cambodia and Singapore in Pool B of the competition.
Making up Pool A are reigning gold winner Thailand, bronze medalist Indonesia, Myanmar, and Malaysia.
