A man has his photo taken at the one-year countdown clock to the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, Aug. 18, 2017. AP Making it back to the medal podium of the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games remains the ultimate goal when the national women’s volleyball team marches to Jakarta for the 18th Asian Games starting 18 Aug.

Newly-elected Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas, Inc. president Peter Cayco said coming up with a strong performance in the Asian Games will set the tone for an impressive run in the SEA Games, which the country will host next year.

The morale of the national team is in an all-time high.

Despite failing to draw financial support from the Philippine Sports Commission, the Nationals attracted a handful of sponsors that prompted the federation to map out a program that would run up to 2020.

This year, the Nationals will fly to Japan for a two-week training under the watchful eyes of Okayama Seagulls head coach Akiyoshi Kawamoto.

From there, they would go to Jakarta before embarking on the AVC Asian Cup in Nakhon Ratchasima in Thailand.

But the result of these tourneys will hardly matter.

Cayco said their goal is to finally step into the medal podium of the SEA Games after a 13-year drought.

“We’re looking at the SEA Games,” said Cayco, who is strongly credited for the revival of the national team program.

“Sure, there is pressure going into the Asian Games and Asian Cup. But we all know that our goal is to gain experience and confidence so that we can make an impressive run in the SEA Games next year.”

Cayco assured that unlike the previous years, this pool of national team players would stay together for the next couple of years to develop chemistry and gain international experience.

“That’s the plan,” he said. “With the help of our private sponsors, I’m confident that we can chart a solid national team program.”