FARM Fresh head coach Koji Tsuzurabara came away from the week-long tournament convinced of one thing: the PVL is no longer playing the same volleyball his team saw last year.
The Japanese mentor said the league’s style has changed dramatically since the last Reinforced Conference late last year, when the arrival of imports helped raise the level and alter the complexion of the competition.
And Farm Fresh, Tsuzurabara admitted, is still trying to catch up.
READ: Farm Fresh rips Ho Chi Minh to salvage 5th in PVL Invitational
“This tournament, my team was not-so good result. First, I think the volleyball style has changed in the PVL since there were imports [last Reinforced Conference],” Tsuzurabara said.
The Foxies were left to settle for fifth place, with their two victories over Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh providing the foundation for their finish.
But Tsuzurabara saw the bigger picture beyond the result.
“All things were different in the team’s styles. There was really a difference between last year’s PVL volleyball and this year’s PVL volleyball style, so we need more practice,” he said.
Farm Fresh was among the teams trying to navigate a competition that Tsuzurabara believes has evolved considerably following the import-laden Reinforced Conference.
For him, the task now is simple, even if the process will take time.
“We need to react to the new volleyball. We have to look at all the new volleyball style. Big difference, but today was a good performance,” he added.
Exactly what Farm Fresh has identified as the biggest changes, however, will remain inside the team’s gym.
When pressed to explain by SPIN.ph on what he meant by the “new volleyball,” Tsuzurabara offered little.
“No, no comment. It's a secret. If you want, please come to our next practice tomorrow,” the Farm Fresh mentor said.
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