COACH Regine Diego is downplaying pre-tournament talk giving revamped F2 Logistics the tag as a favorite in the PVL All-Filipino Conference.
The former National University head coach, who took over from Benson Bocboc early this year, said the Cargo Movers still need time to adapt to her system and regain playing shape.
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"Actually we can't expect a lot from this team," Diego said, even as F2 added veterans Myla Pablo and Cha Cruz.
"Speaking for Cha [Cruz], I know how Cha feels about this. Don't expect too much from people who are just starting again. Let's give her time to develop, to go back to her shape again," she said of Cruz-Behag who is set to return to action after a five-year hiatus from competitive volleyball.
Diego said top priority is to prevent injuries from recurring.
The Cargo Movers have been plagued with health issues since its debut in the pro scene, preventing them from joining the 2021 Open Conference and leaving them undermanned in their return to the 2022 Reinforced Conference.
"For this conference, I'm just trying to make them all stronger physically. Whatever you teach the players, you can't translate it that much if their bodies are not that healthy," said Diego, hoping to get the most from the talented roster after Dawn Macandili, Kim Fajardo and Ara Galang missed time and several others also sat out matches in the previous tournament.
"I can say that the girls are going to be 100 percent healthy but the peak form, nobody can say that. We're trying our best to manage whatever it is we can manage for this conference and to prevent those injuries to recur again."
Diego is planning to utilize all players as the revamped Cargo Movers build their chemistry with Pablo and Chinnie Arroyo joining Kim Dy, Ivy Lacsina and team captain Aby Marano.
Also reinforcing the team are Majoy Baron, Elaine Kasilag, Iris Tonelada, CJ Saga, Shola Alvarez, and Jessma Ramos.
"What we do now is manage all of them. Pa-ikot tayo ng tao and make the best out of this conference," she said.
The Cargo Movers are looking to improve from their sixth-place finish in the 2022 Open Conference as they open the 2023 season against PLDT on Feb. 7 at PhilSports Arena.
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