Impresibo ang laro ng national women’s team kahit sumadsad sa tune up sa limang sets kontra Kobe Shinwa Women`s University 25-19, 17-25, 25-18, 23-25, 8-15 Biyernes ng gabi sa Osaka, Japan.

Nasiyahan si head coach Francis Vicente sa nilaro ng kanyang mga bataan na naghahanda para sa dalawang international competitions sa Agosto.

“We may have lost the match, but I still like what I saw,” wika ni Vicente. “We know that Kobe Shinwa is a very tough team and it plays fast and aggressive.”

Nag-umento ang laro ng Pinay netters matapos ang first leg ng 17-day training camp.

“The mere fact that we were able to match their speed and discipline is a positive development.” ani Vicente.

Tumikada si Jaja Santiago ng 17 points, nag-ambag sina Alyssa Valdez at Jovelyn Gonzaga ng 15 at 12.

“Your team played really well,” sabi ni Kobe Shinwa coach Kiyokazu Yamamoto kay Vicente. “You must have learned a lot from coach Kawamoto because I see improvement in your blocking and defense. There are only some minor lapses, but you can work it out as you go along with the program.”

May mga club teams pang makakaharap ang PHL squad sa susunod na araw bago bumalik sa Manila sa Miyerkules.