Philippine National Women Volleyball Team, Goal to Become Top 1 in Asia is Very Far-fetched

The 2015 U23 Asian Volleyball Championship, which the Philippines is hosting, is scheduled on May 1-9. The coverage, or at least the televised games of our country, will be shown in one of the three biggest television networks in the Philippines. In one of its “promotional” videos, it was mentioned that the team dreams of being number one in Asia. I can’t help but scoff each time I hear it. Why?

Don’t get me wrong. I’m happy that finally, whatever issues especially political ones that contributed to the inactive status of the team for the past years has been “resolved”, at least for the time being. Even though the team has the likes of Alyssa Valdez and the Santiago sisters, I don’t think it’s enough for them to really compete against the powerhouse Asian teams, i.e. the Big Three: Japan, China and South Korea, and even become equal to them. What’s more possible to achieve is being number one in Southeast Asia though.

It’s too far-fetched for now. It’d be better if they focus in training and adapt to the style of play that can make them win against the best teams in Asia and the World. Like I said, no matter how great of a player Alyssa is, no matter how tall the Santiago sisters are, the national team has a LONG way to go. If you’re only a fan of the players in the Philippines, you haven’t seen the best. If there are standards, it’s not the Philippine team and players. As a fan of the Hinotori Nippon (Japan National Women’s Volleyball Team), former World Number 3, and currently ranked 4, let the Philippine team play their game and achieve that “number one in Asia” through action and not though words. It’s easy to talk, but it’s hard to do.

They have to beat Thailand first… If they can, then they might have even the slightest chance to beat the Big Three in Asia, which is such an uphill struggle. Otherwise, don’t say things like that. You only sound like bragging when in fact, WALA PANG NAPAPATUNAYAN yung team. I’d say give them at least five years… and then another five years. By that time, it’s going to be more probable. They can do it… just not now and in the next few years. Let us be real. Let us face the facts.

As a Filipino, I hope that the National Team will continue to be active in the FIVB competitions and strive to give pride and honour to our country. I also hope that politics would not hinder the team’s active status anymore. What matters most is the development of the players and not the greed for positions and power.