There may be a downside to fielding national team players with no international playing experience, but such naivety can also be an asset in the quest to develop stars for the future.

Someone who knows a thing or two about dealing with both emerging and decorated players at the continental level Oh Pilipinas beach volleyball head coach Joao Luciano Kioday.

Citizen of the Women of Alas Jorge Souza de BritoThe 45-year-old Brazilian has 15 years of coaching experience and has looked after the likes of Olympic beach volleyball champions Kelly Walsh Jennings and Brooke Sweat.

And while a young group of Alas players are still winning championships on the world stage, Kioday noted that experience will always be the best teacher for a national team program with such lofty long-term goals.

Proof of this is when Alas’ 17 and 18-year-old rising stars Khylem Progella and Sofiah Pagara defeated No. 5 seed Shauna Polley and New Zealand’s Olivia MacDonald in pool play at the 2024 Asian Beach Volleyball Championships.

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“We were against the New Zealand team, one of the best teams here. We were playing at the same level as them and I’m very happy that we are at this level in beach volleyball,” Kioday said.

“There is great potential in Sofia and Khy and these athletes and players in the game. “But again, as you saw in the afternoon (the loss to Australia), they still lack experience in that level of competition.”

There’s a time and ace for everything

They both come from here University of Santo TomasKioday knows it will take time for the pair to break out of their college shells and blossom as mainstays of the Philippine team.

And it’s a waiting game he’s more than willing to play.

“This is the level they are trained to play at: UAAP. This is different. It is university level. Here it is at a professional level. You can’t just play one good game. “You need to be constantly good and improve your level every game, but they have all the potential and can learn more in the future.”

Kioday continued: “They are 18 and 17 years old. If they act happy and the energy is there, it’s great when things start going well. “They are used to different competitive environments.”

PHOTO: Volleyball Philippines

Experience aside, Unfortunately, the best thing budding stars can get when competing against some of Asia’s best teams is a reality check that there is still a long way to go before goodness is perfect.

“They are used to different competitive environments. There is competition like before, they are the best team. Here they are, just one of the teams looking for a place in this world where everyone wants to fight each other. That’s the reality,” Kioday explained.

“Now everyone is thinking about what will happen next. The next step has to be better because the more you win, the higher your level, the more people know about you and the more, better, better you have to perform.

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