PSL-F2 Logistics Manila poised to make big debut

Manila, Philippines, October 11, 2016 – Hosts PSL-F2 Logistics Manila are keen to shine in their debut at the FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship, which will take place in Manila from October 18 to 23.

Quick links:
FIVB Volleyball Women's Club World Championship Manila 2016 - Website
FIVB Volleyball Women's Club World Championship Manila 2016 - Schedule
FIVB Volleyball Women's Club World Championship Manila 2016 - Teams

And fans in the country are looking forward to the first-ever appearance of a Philippine team at the FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship, the FIVB's flagship event for women's club volleyball.

Over 1,000 volleyball fans flocked to the first of several Meet & Greet sessions with the stars of PSL-F2 Manila, showing they are ready to back their favourites when the World Championship begins.



Behind the scenes, the All-Star squad from the Philippine Superliga have left no stone unturned in their preparations for the event.

The team, which includes seven of the best players from the Philippine Superliga and several international players, have been gearing up towards the challenge of the FIVB Volleyball Women's Club World Championship.

Captain Rachel Anne Daquis will lead the team. “I was surprised at first but then I had to absorb the thought (of being captain) and be thankful. For me it’s just a title, it's like being a big sister to my teammates. I am the bridge between the players and the coaches,” she said.

“Aside from that, I think they saw my attitude and that I really talk to all my teammates and make an effort to reach out to the foreign players. We make sure that we think of them and take care of them,” Daquis explained.

Rising stars Mika Aereen Reyes and Alyja Daphnie Santiago are also eager to shine and make a name for themselves in international volleyball.

Reyes does not want to pass up a golden opportunity. “I am really honoured to be part of this team because we were given a rare chance to play against the best players in the world. This is a dream for every volleyball athlete to play in a competition at this level.”

Foreign reinforcements Yevgeniya Nyukhalova and Ekaterina Krivets, on the other hand, bring a lot of international experience to the team representing the Philippines.

Krivets claimed the silver medal with Dinamo Krasnodar at the FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship in Zurich last year while Nyukhalova won bronze with multiple Swiss champs Volero Zürich.

Captain Rachel Anne Daquis is convinced that the international players have already had an impact on the team.

“We were really inspired when we saw the foreign players because it pushed us to play better. Now that we’ve really intensified our training, the local players work extra hard to stay on the same level as our foreign counterparts. This is really our training ground to improve our skills,” said Daquis.

The Philippine team can also count on a lot of international experience on the bench. PSL-F2 Logistics Manila coach Branislav Moro knows international volleyball like no other and knows what it takes to build a top international squad.

The Serbian-born coach has worked with clubs in Serbia, Greece, Romania, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Libya, Belarus and recently DPR Korea.

The challenge awaiting PSL-F2 Logistics Manila is a big one. Moro’s team will play eleven-time Brazilian champions Rexona-Sesc Rio at 19.30 on October 18, CEV Champions League titleholders Pomì Casalmaggiore at 19.30 on October 20, and defending champs Eczacibasi VitrA Istanbul at 19.30 on October 21.

The local heroines are the underdogs in Pool B, but Moro's squad are poised to earn their spurs against the best teams in international volleyball.

The Philippine volleyball fans, on the other hand, are ready to cheer their idols on and to build up a huge atmosphere as their players debut at the FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship.