Volleybelles open Japan training with focus on defense

MANILA, Philippines – Akiyoshi Kawamoto put special premium on defense in his first training with the national women’s team.

Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas, Inc. secretary general Ariel Paredes said the noted Japanese mentor took a look at the Filipinos’ blocking and floor defense and allowed them to play against the Okayama Seagulls in a two-set friendly.

The Seagulls prevailed, 25-16, 25-22, but it doesn’t matter as the Nationals got an idea on the Japanese’s defensive style that made them superpower in world volleyball.

“The game was meant to assess where we are right now,” said Paredes, also a ranking Philippine Superliga executive who joined the Nationals in their two-week training for the 18th Asian Games in Jakarta this month.

“From here, coach Kawamoto will give pointers on what our team needs to improve and work on.”

Paredes, for one, noted that Kawamoto pulled the newbies like Cha Cruz, MJ Philips, Mylene Paat, Jia Morado, Rebecca Rivera, Dindin Manabat and CJ Rosario aside to teach them the defensive strategies he taught the Nationals last year.

Then, the team had some defensive drills before calling it a day.

“It was a good first day of training,” Paredes said. “At least the loopholes in defense were properly identified and we expect coach Kawamoto to work on our defensive strategy moving forward.”