Rondina, Gonzaga banner beach volley squads to Cambodia SEAG

The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) announced on Sunday the composition of the beach and indoor squads to the Cambodia 32nd Southeast Asian Games.

Cherry Ann “Sisi” Rondina and Jovelyn Gonzaga will lead the women’s beach volleyball team also composed of Berna- deth Pons and Floremel Rodriguez. The men’s team members are Alnakran Abdilla, Jaron Requinton, Jude Garcia and

James Buytrago. Except for Buytrago, all are returning to the region’s biggest sporting event with the hope of improving their bronze medal finishes in 2022 edition held in Vietnam. Rondina and Gonzaga were crowned champions after beating Pons and Rodriguez at the

FRED C. LUMBA SPORTS KEN

Why would coach Jojo Lastimosa admit that TNT, the top ranked team, is the underdog versus Brgy. Ginebra in the Govs Cup title showdown?

Is the neophyte head coach expressing a fact or a fear?

What do the fans think?

I would presume both.

Jolas knows just too well that he would be crossing swords against a master tactician who is twice as wise and ingenious.

At least, he is humble enough and meek as a sheep to acknowledge that as far as coaching ability is concerned, he could not match up with Tim Cone, who was his

Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Futures in Subic last December.

Brazilian Joao Luciano Simao Barbosa heads the beach volleyball team coaching staff composed of Romnick Rico (assistant coach -- women’s), Rhovyl Verayo (assistant coach -- men’s) and John Paulo Agir

(strength and conditioning coach) and Rosemarie Prochina (team manager).

Alyssa Valdez and Vince Raphael Mangulabnan will banner the women’s and men’s indoor teams.

“These teams are composed of perhaps the most formidable

Jolas To Get Free Coaching Education

mentor as a player of Alaska many years ago.

Or is it his style of challenging his boys, employing reverse psychology, so that the underdog tag will fire them up like hungry lions in search of their prey?

I don’t know if there is a need for Jolas to make an inspirational speech to his platoon.

TNT is composed of tried and tested warriros who are not scared to meet the stiffest of opposition.

Therefore, Jolas is expressing a personal fear because the acceptable fact is that Brgy. Ginebra will wipe them out if need be for the Kings to bring home the bacon.

Already, the battle has started even before the jumpball is tossed.

Japhet Aguilar could be back by Game 1, Cone said so after the Kings dismantled the Beermen in three.

Suddenly, we begin to realize that basketball is also a mind game.

Yeah, like chess the coach pushes pawns and minor and major pieces to assault the opponent. If just one of the five players on the floor does not possess the mindset of a winner, then the chemistry and cohesion necessary to produce teamwork is lost.

Without demeaning any of the coaches, I thought the Gin Kings faced a tougher foe in SMB than TNT colliding against Meralco even if the Bolts extended the sries to four games before eventually surrendering.

TNT is star-studded with the irrepressible (and probable best import awardee) Rondae Hollis Jefferson as its American recruit; Jason Castro, Mikey Williams and RR Pogoy as explosive guards and reliable slotman Poy Erram to boot.

But TNT only needs to focus on ONE or TWO Gin Kings..

Limit Justin Brownlee’s allaround brilliance first. Second, box out and prevent C-Standhardinger from.actively participating in the ballgame.

Let’s face it. Take out JB from Brgy. Ginebra and its offense will die like a flower withering in the dry desert.

If TNT guards can do this and their outside shooting is unhampered, Jolas has a mighty good chance of upsetting his teacher. (Email feedback to fredlumba@ yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!