AVC: Alas Pilipinas coach Jorge de Brito bares what changed for team in win vs Kazakhstan

Alas Pilipinas coach Jorge de Brito pointed to familiarity as key in the 25-21, 25-15, 25-19 win over Kazakhstan in the AVC Women’s Nations Cup in Vietnam on Thursday, June 12.

Playing against the same team multiple times has given the Alas Women the feel of how the Kazakhs do things and eventually find a kink in their armor.

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“I think it’s already the third time we faced Kazakhstan. They have a system, they play a little bit slow. But they are really strong at blocking,” said De Brito of the same team that eliminated them in the semifinals last year.

Their meetings against the world No. 29 team has only made the Filipinas stronger by the game.

“I think the main goal for us is to play these teams and keep on performing good,” he said.

But like most spectators and pundits, De Brito doesn’t exactly expect a three-set win against Central Asia’s powerhouse team.

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“Straight sets is hard to happen in this level, but [it does] happen sometimes. But (there are) some factors you have to consider. One, I think you’re trying to find the best formation who fits to play against Kazakhstan,” he said.

He added the absence of injured Kazakh captain Sana Anarkulova also augured well for the Filipinas.

“And also Kazakhstan, they lost the captain, Anarkulova. It’s one factor. But the main factor is we played good all the time. So I expect my team to play better, so I always tell them to perform good and the result will come.”

In the end, he couldn’t help but be proud of his charges for a pulsating win that coincided with the country’s Independence Day celebration.

“I congratulate all my players (for playing well),” he said.

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