PSL All-Stars show promise despite winless finish

MANILA, Philippines – Given time and more experience, teams and players from the Philippine Superliga (PSL) could give Thailand club teams a run for their money in the near future.

Coach George Pascua said he was proud of his PSL All-Star team's performance in the import-laced Thai-Denmark Super League in Bangkok, Thailand despite failing to come up with a single victory.

"We had little time to prepare but despite it, the team showed heart and we made it a little more difficult for them than expected and I'm happy and proud of what we did," said Pascua, whose charges are set to return home tonight.

"We learned a lot from this tournament that we can use in the long run," he added.

Truly, Pascua's team, bannered by the league's best and brightest, showed some grit as it stole a set from defending Asian Club champion Bangkok Glass before falling down, 23-25, 25-11, 25-16, 25-9.

The Filipinas then gave Idea Khonkaen, third placer in this same tournament a year ago, anxious moments before absorbing a 25-22, 25-20, 25-19 results.

The squad closed out its campaign by stretching its showdown with last year's losing finalist 3BB Nakhonnont to a fourth set before losing anew, 15-25, 25-11, 25-23, 25-15.

The PSL team, already eliminated, then whitewashed Hong Kong, 25-22, 25-15, 25-20, in an exhibition duel to salvage some measure of pride before heading home.

Team captain Rachel Anne Daquis, who is playing for RC Cola-Army back home, said Thai club teams are just too strong.

"We have rooms for improvement but we feel good about ourselves because we feel we represented ourselves well," said Daquis.

Seasoned Aby Marano had the same thoughts.

"We were able to show them that we can give a good fight and that I think is enough because the competition is really tough here,” said Maraño.