WITH major changes in its coaching staff and player roster earlier this year, the BanKo Perlas are preparing more extensively for the upcoming season of the Premier Volleyball League (PVL).
“It is a transition year for us since we have a new coach and new team members,” said Nicole Tiamzon, Team Captain of the BanKo Perlas, on the sidelines of the PVL Grand Fans Day.
For this year, the former coach of Thailand’s Women’s Volleyball Team, Apichat Kongsawat, took on the challenge of leading the BanKo Perlas. The veteran coach first began his career in volleyball as a player in Bangkok Bang Club when he was 15 years old, and eventually in National Thailand Team from 1991 to 1994. With years of proven experience, Kongsawat had his chance to serve as assistant coach to Bangkok Bank and National Youth World Championship, both for Men’s and Women’s divisions, among others. He also served as the head coach of collegiate and professional volleyball teams in Thailand and Vietnam. Just last year, he became the head coach of renowned Indonesian volleyball team PGN Popsivo Polwan.
In his first season as head coach, Kongsawat said he is optimistic about BanKo Perlas’ chances.
In addition to Kongsawat, returning American import Lakia Bright and Turkish import Yasemin Yildirim will also be joining the team in the new PVL season.
