Last August 23, 2008, our group in Ateneo, who plays every Tuesday and Saturday, used the very MVA 200 Mikasa ball now being used in the Beijing Olympics. We are proud to say that we were the very first volleyball aficionados here in the Philippines to play with it, since Sonia trading is not yet selling it commercially. We were able to acquire it when one of our regular players, Dr. Bayhon, went to Bangkok and requested him to purchase two Mikasa balls for our group.

We also learned that the Ateneo coaching staff bought it from Thailand as well. With that information, we immediately dropped the idea of waiting for Sonia trading to sell. It costs only around 1,900 baht (Php 2,800) each ball. When we got the new Mikasa ball last Saturday, we were so excited. We used it right away during our usual warm-up routine. Obviously, we were all overwhelmed about the idea that we are the first to play with it. I opted to be one of the setters to be able to feel how to set this new ball because of the technical report published about it.

The ball is almost the same as the old model, but it looks like a golf ball with blue and yellow stripes. As we began playing, I noticed that the flight of the ball was a little bit slower than usual as one of my teammates received the ball; the ball didn’t go up high enough as it should be. As the game progressed, I also noticed that my teammates, as well the opposing team, have to pass the ball with much effort for me to set it up to my spikers. Whenever the spikers hit the blockers outstretched hands, the ball always go up prolonging the rallies.

It seems the new ball has a lower pressure and softer touch that makes the rallies prolong during the game. I experienced some double vision whenever I look at the ball, because of the rapid spin of blue and yellow. Yes, only two colors are dominant (yellow and blue). It also minimize the sudden drop when you do floater serve because the flight of the ball is straight. The jump serves are easily receive because of the soft texture that allows to absorb the power of the serve.  If you make a dig, the ball goes up without exerting extra effort. However, it is difficult to make a forearm set compared to a overhead set. When I got a chance to be an outside or opposite spiker in our succeeding sets, I felt less pain on my shoulders because the ball was light whenever you make a hard driven spike and you can feel the force you applied on it. 

Technically, the new Mikasa ball is better because it doesn’t only prolong the rallies, but makes the game more fun. Although, it will take some time to adjust with the new ball since we are still used with the old ones. After playing, we were convinced to buy more balls to be used during the warm-up, because it is difficult to use the old ones and play with the new Mikasa MVA 200 ball. With that premise, we are planning to buy again in Bangkok by October.

The new Mikasa ball will make the game of volleyball more exciting and thrilling to watch. Now I understand why FIVB pushed this new innovation in the game. The Beijing Olympics paved the way for this new development in the sport of volleyball. I hope the volleyball community will accept these changes in the sport. I know it will take some time for us to get used with these changes. Let us accept that nothing in this world doesn’t change is the word itself.

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