MORO Branislav is glad to finally experience first-hand the good things Serbian compatriot Rajko Toroman had been raving about Philippine sports.
Branislav knew the Philippines is a basketball-crazy country and stories from Toroman about Filipino talent only further tickled the imagination.
The veteran coach is now on his fourth day as head coach of PSL Manila, the team that will see action in the FIVB Women’s Club World Championship set October 18 to 23 at MOA Arena.
Before getting tapped for the event, Branislav called the shots for North Korean club April 25 in the Asian Women’s Club Championship in Laguna.
“Rajko and I worked in the same club in Serbia, I’m the coach of volleyball team and Rajko was the coach of basketball team,” said Branislav.
“And after and before training we drink coffee, you see, we do this for 35-40 years.”
“After I go for one country and I return home it’s coming to one place one café and drink coffee and Rajko would tell me how good sports is and it’s very good in the Philippines and this is first hand information for me,” he added.
It remains to be seen, though, if Branislav is as hard a drillmaster as Toroman is.
“I play good basketball, Serbian people play good basketball,” he said. “Between the two of us, for basketball it’s Rajko but for volleyball, Moro.”
Branislav was tapped to take charge of the team led by skipper Rachel Anne Daquis, six other Filipinas and seven imports.
Jovelyn Gonzaga is also in the team along with Jaja Santiago, Mika Reyes, Kim Fajardo, Ces Molina and Jen Reyes.
The reinforcements are Lindsay Stalzer and Stephanie Niemer of the US, Tichaya Boonlert of Thailand, Ekaterina Krivets of Russia, Yevgeniya Nyukalova of Ukraine, Yuri Fukuda of Japan and Lynda Morales of Puerto Rico.
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