Preparations in full swing at PSL Manila

Manila, Philippines, September 28, 2016 - PSL Manila coach Branislav Moro and his players have completed their first week of preparation for the FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship in Manila from October 18 to 23. The players are developing chemistry on and off the court in preparation for the international federation's flagship event for women's club teams.

Quick links:
FIVB Volleyball Women's Club World Championship - Website
FIVB Volleyball Women's Club World Championship - Schedule
FIVB Volleyball Women's Club World Championship - Teams

Team captain Rachel Anne Daquis and Jovelyn Gonzaga of RC Cola-Army Troopers, Frances Molina and Jen Reyes of Petron Tri-Activ Spikers, Mika Reyes and Kim Fajardo of F2 Logistics Cargo Movers and Jaja Santiago of Foton Tornadoes all reported to the training camp in perfect shape as they brace for a highly competitive tournament featuring the world’s best volleyball players.

Ekaterina Krivets of Russia, Yevgeniya Nyukhalova of Ukraine, Lynda Morales of Puerto Rico, Yuri Fukuda of Japan, Stephanie Niemer and Lindsay Stalzer of the United States, and Tichaya Boonlert of Thailand will be playing alongside the seven Filipinas, who are looking to perform well in the week-long volleyball spectacle.

But head coach Branislav Moro doesn’t want to make any promises.

“This is a very big competition, maybe five times more competitive than the Asian club championship,” he said. The seasoned Serbian coach is supported by Shun Takahashi of Japan and by local coach Sammy Acaylar in preparing the team.

“The competition here is the same, or even better, than at the Olympic games. The top players in at least six teams are all capable of playing in the Olympics. We should not be complacent. This is a very important and serious tournament.”

Moro added that although everybody is already on board, the team is yet to train at full force as some of the players are also preparing for the 2016 PSL Grand Prix which kicks off on October 8.

Morales, for one, will be seeing action for Cignal while Niemer will play for Petron and Stalzer for Foton.

Moro may also be coaching in the PSL Grand Prix after being tipped to replace Fabio Menta as head coach of the Foton Tornadoes.

“This is going to be difficult,” said Moro. “We have to train hard because we have a very short time for this competition. By next week, we have to start our training matches with some PSL teams. It will determine where we are right now and what are the aspects we need to work on. We will also know the mix of players we will use at the FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship.”

The 2016 edition of the Women's Club World Championship will take place from October 18 to 23 in Manila, the Philippines. PSL Manila will take on Pomi Casalmaggiore (Italy), Eczacibasi Vitra Istanbul (Turkey) and Rexona-Sesc Rio (Brazil) in Pool A. The four teams in Pool B are Bangkok Glass (Thailand), Hisamitsu Springs Kobe (Japan), Vakifbank Istanbul (Turkey) and Volero Zürich (Switzerland).