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Asian Games: Plenty of experience gained by PH volleyball team in loss to Thailand

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Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/sports/08/19/20180819-phvolleyball.jpg"/><figcaption>Jaja Santiago and the Philippine women&#x27;s national volleyball team couldn&#x27;t sustain a flying start against Thailand in their match on Sunday. PSC media pool</figcaption></figure></div>JAKARTA -- A straight sets loss to powerhouse Thailand did not sting too badly for the Philippine women’s volleyball team, as the players and the coaching staff instead relished the lessons they learned from the experience.(LINK ON &#x27;loss to powerhouse Thailand&#x27; : http://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/08/19/18/asian-games-ph-volleyball-team-bows-to-thailand-in-opener)Unable to sustain a hot start, the women’s team lost to the defending Southeast Asian champions, 22-25, 12-25, 15-25. It was a rude welcome to the Philippine team, which was competing in the volleyball event of the Asian Games for the first time in 36 years.“Medyo nag-collapse kami,” admitted head coach Shaq delos Santos, whose wards raced to a surprising 9-2 lead in the opening frame but could not hold on to their advantage against a seasoned Thailand team.The players felt that a lack of experience in international volleyball doomed them, particularly in the closing stretch of Set 1 when Thailand leaned on its veterans.“Kung makikita natin, nung pinasok na din nila &#x27;yung mga experienced players nila, alam na nila &#x27;yung gagawin,” said Alyssa Valdez, who had seven points in the loss to lead the Filipinas. “Tinginan lang nila alam na nila.”“Siyempre kasi &#x27;yung mga teams na banyaga, matagal na nilang ginagawa &#x27;yun eh, kami bago pa lang. Ilang linggo lang ba kami sa Japan,” added team captain Aby Marano.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://sports.abs-cbn.com/volleyball/news/2018/08/20/look-miguel-de-guzman-visits-jia-morado-jakarta-45830">LOOK: Miguel de Guzman visits Jia Morado in Jakarta</a></li></ul>Rather than dwell on the pain of the loss to Thailand, however, the team said they will use the match as a way to learn and gain the experience they need to keep improving.“Kailangan pa namin ng maraming experience, siyempre sa ganitong klaseng tournament,” said delos Santos.“Good experience for us kasi na-feel nila kung papaano maglaro ng ganiyang kalakas na kalaban, and then nakita namin na kaya naman,” he added.“I think &#x27;yun lang, nasa process nga kami ng pagbuo nitong team na ‘to and hopefully habang tumatagal kami dito, gumanda nang gumanda &#x27;yung performance namin.”Indeed, it was crucial that the entire team get a feel for the Games, which was why delos Santos opted to field in every player. “Gusto namin ma-experience nila kung papaano maglaro talaga sa loob ng court kasi siyempre may mga next games pa kami and definitely kakailanganin namin &#x27;yung bawat isa kaya kailangan ma-feel nila &#x27;yung ganung klase ng laro,” he explained.Delos Santos had used mostly his second stringers in the third set, when Thailand pulled away early and cruised to victory. Still, the Filipinas displayed their fighting spirit, with Maika Ortiz and Majoy Baron notably getting kill blocks late despite the big deficit.The team faces another stiff challenge on Tuesday when they play Japan in their second game.Delos Santos hopes the lessons from their match against Thailand will serve them well then, as he eyes another strong effort from his players.“Definitely, ibibigay pa rin namin ‘yung best namin,” he said.“Alam namin na mayroon pang igagalaw ‘yung team namin… Meron pang ilalabas ‘yung team. Talagang dapat, mag-work hard pa kami, kasi alam namin ‘yung quality ng mga players na aangat pa,” he said.<div>For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com" target="_blank">ABS-CBN Sports website.</a></div>

A straight sets loss to powerhouse Thailand did not sting too badly for the Philippine women’s volleyball team, as the players and the coaching staff instead relished the lessons they learned from the experience.

A straight sets loss to powerhouse Thailand did not sting too badly for the Philippine women’s volleyball team, as the players and the coaching staff instead relished the lessons they learned from the experience.

Asian Games: Plenty of experience gained by PH volleyball team in loss to Thailand

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Asian Games: Plenty of experience gained by PH volleyball team in loss to Thailand

Camille B. Naredo,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 20, 2018 09:36 PM PHT

Read More:

Asian Games

volleyball

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