Tag: training

NU stars, Jema Galanza join Alas Pilipinas training

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FILE–National University’s Alyssa Solomon (12) and Bella Belen (4) during the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Jema Galanza and National University’s Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon have joined the Alas Pilipinas practice on Wednesday morning at Philsports Arena.

Galanza, Belen, and Solomon, the new additions to the training pool, have started preparing with the AVC Challenge Cup bronze medalists ahead of the FIVB Challenger Cup from July 4 to 7 at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Three-time PVL MVP Tots Carlos, however, hasn’t trained with the team yet due to a minor injury but Alas coach Jorge Souza De Brito is elated to have the newcomers as they battle Challenge Cup champion Vietnam in the do-or-die Challenger Cup game as the survivor of the tournament will qualify to the Volleyball Nations League.

READ: Tots Carlos, Jema Galanza added to Alas Pilipinas pool

De Brito said the training pool went back to basics to start their preparation for the world qualifier.

Belen and Solomon were part of the original pool but begged off in the AVC Challenge Cup due to fatigue after winning the UAAP Season 86 title for NU, while Galanza and Carlos were in a long-awaited Spain trip with Creamline booked even before the new Alas team was formed.

Jema Galanza Creamline PVL

Creamline’s Jema Galanza.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Belen won her second UAAP Season MVP, while Solomon emerged as the Season 86 Finals MVP. Galanza led Creamline to another All-Filipino title and bagged the Finals MVP.

READ: De Brito embraces higher expectations for Alas Pilipinas

University of the East rising star Casiey Dongallo is still recovering from an arm injury but she’s part of the long-term plan.

Belen, Solomon, and Galanza are joining Challenge Cup Best Setter Jia De Guzman and Best Opposite Spiker Angel Canino as well as Sisi Rondina, Eya Laure, Fifi Sharma, Thea Gagate, Dawn Macandili-Catindig, Cherry Nunag, Dell Palomata, Faith Nisperos, Jennifer Nierva, Arah Panique, Julia Coronel, and Vanie Gandler.

The team recently went to South Korea for a friendly game with Daegu.

Venice training set for ‘thankful’ Catantan

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Philippines’ Samantha Catantan reacts after beating Singapore’s Maxine Jie Xin Wong in the women’s epee individual fencing final at the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) in Hanoi on May 14, 2022. (Photo by TANG CHHIN SOTHY / AFP)

Sam Catantan embarks on a final push with a rigorous training camp in Venice, Italy, where world-class fencers could simulate the challenges that she will face in the Paris Olympics.

“I can’t wait to enter the camp. I know I could gain valuable lessons and experience in time for the Olympics,’’ Catantan told the Inquirer after being treated to a mini-sendoff by the Philippine Olympians Association at the College of Saint Benilde on Tuesday.

The 22-year-old from Frisco, Quezon City, is the first woman fencer in the Philippine team to the Olympics, but there are no great expectations in her debut at the global sports showpiece.

Final exam

“The best fencers in the world will be there, so the challenge to win a medal is really overwhelming,’’ said Catantan, who secured an Olympic berth after topping the field in the Asian Olympic Qualification in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates, last month.

Since that victory, she hasn’t really plunged into an intensive workout for the Summer Games.

Catantan took her final examination as a graduating accounting major at Penn State University nearly three weeks ago, got a much-needed vacation with the family and attended several functions within the Philippine fencing community.

She will leave for Venice on Wednesday.

“I’m very thankful for these opportunities to train in Italy and France. It will definitely boost my confidence and make me better as I prepare for the Olympics,’’ said Catantan.