FOR Alas Pilipinas Women, there is no room for fear heading into the biggest test of their Asian Games campaign in Aichi-Nagoya.
Instead, there is excitement.
And perhaps no better way to open their continental campaign than against the team that has dominated women’s volleyball in the Asiad for decades.
READ: Win or lose, just facing Asia's best is part of process for Alas
Alas Women begin their Asiad stint in Pool B against nine-time champion China on Wednesday, before facing Kazakhstan on Thursday, with the top two teams in each pool advancing to the quarterfinals.
China has won the women’s volleyball gold medal in nine of the last 11 editions of the Asian Games, making Wednesday’s match-up a daunting proposition on paper.
But Alas captain Jia de Guzman sees it differently.
“Believe it or not, we're really excited to go against China kasi when do you get the chance to play against the defending champions of the Asian Games, the second placer in the latest Continental Championship, one of the top teams in the world," she said.
Rather than viewing China as an overwhelming obstacle, de Guzman sees the match as an opportunity to measure just how far Alas has come under new head coach Taka Minowa.
“Kami, parang there's no better way for us to know what level we're in unless we go against teams like that,” de Guzman said ahead of their second major tournament under Minowa's tutelage.
“We're taking it day by day. Naniniwala kami sa system ni Coach Taka at sa kakayahan namin kasi regardless of what happens at the end, we will learn something.”
Alas Women will bring in a strong blend of youth and experience to the regional conclave, with wingers Angel Canino, Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon, Eya Laure and Shaina Nitura leading the attack.
They will be backed by middles Amie Provido, Niña Ytang, Dell Palomata and Thea Gagate, with de Guzman and Mars Alba handling the setting duties and Justine Jazareno serving as the team's lone libero.
'We're going to fight with them'
For Minowa, however, the challenge is not just the weight of China's history.
The Japanese coach is also wary of the personnel China is bringing to the Asian Games that could add another dimension to an already formidable lineup.
“Facing China, especially right now, they brought a young player who is kind of tall compared to before. We never know what's going to happen," he said.
That uncertainty is precisely why Minowa wants Alas to approach the opener with preparation rather than apprehension.
“We're just going to fight, we're just going to analyze, study well, and we're going to be prepared. And then as a team, we're also going to prepare well.”
The weight of history makes the challenge even greater. The Philippines has won just once in its Asian Games women’s volleyball history, but Minowa sees the opportunity to start writing a different chapter.
“As for the history of the Asian Games for the Philippines, I think only one win so far in the competition. If we're going to win against any team, I think that's awesome. Like, we can move forward. It's a new story for us," he said.
Minowa knows China can teach his young squad plenty, but he does not want Alas to simply go there for the lessons.
“I think we can learn from China a lot, and also we're going to fight with them. It's not going to be just spending time with them. We're going to fight with them," he vowed.
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