National team head coach Francis Vicente exhorted his wards to put the results of the group stage behind them and be motivated in putting up a gallant fight against the unbeaten Thai club. Be positive and optimistic.” Led by superstar middle blocker Pleumjit Thinkaow, Thailand swept the Group A beating host Altay, Taiwan Power and Sarmayeh Bank of Iran. Vicente said the 14 members of the PSL-Manila were low in spirits during the Tianjin match but lauded how the squad — made up of Philippine Superliga stars—banded together. Team captain Rachel Anne Daquis, Aby Marano and Jovelyn Gonzaga also helped in giving pep talk to the members of the club, most of them will form the national team to the the Southeast Asian Games and Asian Seniors. “The reporters asked me why the team is always smiling and always celebrating our points,” said Daquis after getting interviewed by foreign press.

Source: Manila Times May 28, 2017 10:06 UTC