THERE’S no question Alyssa Solomon has emerged as one of the country’s best opposite hitters, a status cemented by her multi-titled run with National University.
She has collected the top individual award at her position multiple times in both the UAAP and Shakey’s Super League, and even made her mark with Alas Pilipinas on the international stage at the twilight of her college career.
READ: Canino says playing for Alas at SEAG brings 'another level of pride'
But 14 matches into her overseas debut with Osaka Marvelous in the Japan SV.League, the 6-foot-2 opposite has unlocked a new weapon to add to her already-lethal scoring arsenal, one that maximizes her height and growing defensive instincts.
“I think ‘yung blockings po. Pinagtuunan ko po talaga ’yun ng pansin bilang ’yung role ko nga rin po du’n [sa Osaka Marvelous] is maging double sub,” Solomon said.
“Marami na rin pong naging lessons at super nahubog talaga ako as a player.”
True enough, Solomon has emerged as a force at the net, standing as the third-tallest player on Osaka behind import teammates in 6-foot-6 American middle blocker Samantha Francis and 6-foot-4 Belgian outside hitter Lise Van Hecke.
So far, she has logged 20 kill blocks, averaging 0.5 per set in 14 matches. She has also produced 58 attacks on 36.2 percent efficiency and added a service ace, bringing her running total to 79 points for the defending champions of Japan’s top-tier league.
Stars at the 'Rising Sun'
Like Bryan Bagunas in the men's division of the same league with Osaka Bluteon, Solomon was granted temporary release by her club to fulfill national team duties at the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.
Both have joined their respective Alas squads and are already in Thailand for the biennial meet.
Now set for her SEA Games debut, Solomon hopes to channel her early Japan experience into a medal-clinching run that could finally end a two-decade podium drought for Philippine women’s volleyball.
“Kakabalik ko lang po and excited lang akong i-apply kung ano ’yung mga natutunan ko sa Japan and ma-experience ko rin ’yung first-ever SEA Games ko,” she said.
“Bibigay lang po namin ’yung best namin sa mga games, and sana po suportahan niyo kami kahit anong mangyari.”
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