JAKARTA, Indonesia – The Philippine women’s volleyball team may have given Southeast Asian powerhouse Thailand a scare, but team star Alyssa Valdez thinks the team still has a lot to work on in the 2018 Asian Games.

“Personally, I feel like kulang pa (it’s still not enought),” said Valdez.   

The Nationals led by as much as 6 points in the first set, but the Thais eventually found their rhythm to trounce the Filipinas in straight sets at the start of the women’s volleyball competition on Sunday, August 19. (READ: Thailand dominates PH in 2018 Asian Games volleyball opener) 

“Philippines is very strong, better than before,” said Thai middle blocker Pleumjit Thinkaow. 

Valdez paced the national squad with 7 points, all from spikes. 

“Definitely, it was the lack of experience. Nung pinasok nila yung experienced players nila, alam nila yung gagawin, tinginan lang nila, alam na nila.”

(Definitely, it was the lack of experience. When Thailand brought in their experienced players, they knew what to do, they just look at each other and they already know their plays.)

The volleyball star is nonetheless impressed with the team’s new-found chemistry after their two-week training in Japan. 

“Pero nakakatuwang makita na gumagalaw and grabe yung chemistry ng team in today’s game, but mahaba pa yung tournament so we’re hoping na mas mag-improve and siguro mas magkakila-kilala pa kami sa loob ng court and sa labas,” added Valdez. 

(But it’s great to see the team move together and the chemistry of the team in today’s game is really good. We still have a long way to go in the tournament so we’re hoping that we’ll improve and get to know each other better on and off the court.) 

The Philippine team will face another powerhouse in Japan on Tuesday, August 19, 4:30 pm (5:30 pm, Manila time) at the Bulungan Sports Center. – Rappler.com