Powered by 6’5” winger Jaja Santiago, the Nationals gamely challenged the elite Japanese club before bowing in a four-set exhibition match, 22-25, 14-25, 22-25, 20-25. Head coach Francis Vicente was happy over the performance, but quick to tone down expectations, saying that the squad still remains a work in progress. “I like our progress in this early stretch of our training,” said Vicente following the match witnessed by no less than Department of Foreign Affairs Sec. Alan Peter Cayetano, who is the chairman of the organizing committee of the Asian Senior Women’s Championship in Binan City and Muntinlupa City next month. “There were some lapse on defense, but overall, your team is doing good in training.”The Nationals took a breather on Sunday before plunging back to training with the Seagulls on Monday.

Source: The Standard July 23, 2017 12:33 UTC