Phl spikers get Japan training

The national men’s volleyball team left for a 16-day training camp in Tokyo in preparation for the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games that the country will host from 30 November to 11 December.

Head coach Dante Alinsunurin said aside from getting exposure from various club and university teams in Japan, their main objective is to develop their camaraderie and improve their chemistry ahead of the prestigious biennial meet.

The men’s squad is roaring for a better finish.

The last time it emerged with a podium finish was when it clinched the bronze medal in the 23rd SEA Games that the country hosted in 2005. Then, it hibernated for 10 long years only to suffer heartbreaks when they played in the Singapore and Kuala Lumpur edition of the Games in 2017 and 2019.

This year, hopes are high on the Nationals.

Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas Inc. vice president and national team program director Peter Cayco said they are hoping for nothing but a podium finish for the men’s squad, which has been training regularly for almost one year.

Alinsunurin said their Japan trip would definitely help them realize their goal.

“This trip would give us the experience and improve our camaraderie and chemistry on and off the court,” said Alinsunurin, also a former member of the national team.