IT was all hands on deck for Alas Pilipinas as they ramped up preparations for the 2024 Southeast Asian (SEA) V.League with a two-week training camp in Japan.
READ: Angel Canino out of Alas lineup due to 'duties with DLSU'
To spice up training, Alas head coach Jorge Souza de Brito brought in a good friend and former on-court rival of his back in the day — that day being Aug. 9, 1992 during the gold medal match of the Olympic men’s volleyball tournament in Barcelona, Spain.
Olympic medalists on board for Alas
Then-middle blocker de Brito’s Brazil side won its first-ever Olympic men’s volleyball gold by taking down ace setter Avital Selinger and the Netherlands in straight sets, 15-12, 15-8, 15-5, to complete an eight-game unbeaten run.
Avital, the now-65-year-old son of one of world volleyball’s greatest-ever coaches in Arie Selinger, ultimately capped his Dutch national team run in 1992 with an Olympic medal.
Born in Israel, he went on to follow his revered dad’s coaching footsteps and called the shots for the Netherlands' women’s national team from 2005 to 2011 then the Israel men’s squad from 2014 to 2015.
He also had head coaching posts for various club teams in the Netherlands, Spain, Russia, France, Switzerland, and Japan before his one-year stint as incumbent shot-caller of Japan V.League Division I side Victorina Himeji.
It was through Selinger's ongoing job in Japan that de Brito was able to reach out, as Alas held its training camp there weeks before the 32nd anniversary of their Olympic clash.
“We are friends. We are on the same page regarding volleyball progression. It was really good (we) met him here. I invited him to join and he said yes,” de Brito told SPIN.ph.
Closing out Japan camp in style
Alas’ final order of business in Japan before heading back home included a tune-up match with Selinger’s current squad.
Following a reception party hosted by the Japanese club, Alas underwent a training session led by de Brito and Selinger with his coaching staff.
Only one week remains before the Philippines enters yet another international competition in the SEA V.League, with Leg 1 slated from Aug. 2 to 4 in Vietnam. It will then be followed by Leg 2 from Aug. 9 to 11 in Thailand.
The Filipinos’ hunt for a first podium finish in four years will have to unfold in the absence of star spiker Angel Canino, who was unable to join the Japan camp in light of her commitments with La Salle.
Entering the nationals’ fray, however, is reigning SEA V.League Leg 2 best opposite spiker Alyssa Solomon and the Fil-American duo of setter Tia Andaya and libero Hannah Stires.
It remains uncertain whether Andaya and Stires will suit up for Alas straight away in the four-team regional meet.
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