The National University women’s volleyball team will go up against a couple of Japanese schools during its two-week training camp there next month.
The Lady Bulldogs, the University Athletic Association of the Philippines champion, aim to improve their defensive game, according to Season 84 Rookie of the Year Bella Belen during an episode of The Athletes’ Tribune.
“If I remember correctly, we’ll be going up against two schools while we’re in Japan. We’ll play one school in the first week and a second school in the next week,” Belen told host Nikki Viola.
“We want to improve our defense and be faster on the court. We try to be faster but we haven’t perfected it yet.”
Libero Jen Nierva, who’ll be playing her final year, is excited to see first-hand the Japanese style of volleyball.
“I’m excited because Japan is known as a defensive team. They’re the best in terms of ball control,” Nierva said.
“This will be a good experience for the team. Hopefully we’ll be able to absorb everything we learn there and bring it for Season 85,” she added.
For Shakey’s Super League MVP Alyssa Solomon, there’s one thing in her game that gets better.
“I want to learn how they serve the ball. I also want to learn the defense and the consistency on the ball, especially their tempos,” Solomon said.
Japan has been a a favorite destination among volleyball teams with Ateneo de Manila University training there for one month in 2019, a move that enabled the Lady Eagles to win Season 81.
On the same year, the Philippine men’s volleyball team trained there as well and the stint produced a silver medal in the 30th Southeast Asian Games in Manila.
While NU has already proven its might after winning Season 84 and the inaugural SSL Pre-Season Championship, Nierva believes the squad still craves for more.
This is something special for her, Ces Robles and Joyme Cagande as it will be their last season for NU.
“This is our last playing year with Princess and Joyme. Knowing them, they definitely will give their all in their last season,” Nierva said.
