MANILA, Philippines – NU’s Bella Belen and La Salle’s Angel Canino, both MVPs in the UAAP women’s volleyball, headline a “wish list” for Alas Pilipinas ahead of a busy year.
The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) on Thursday, March 27, unveiled 33 names, including Belen and Canino, who will be invited to the tryouts to form this year’s Alas Pilipinas women’s pool for the AVC Challenge Cup, Southeast Asian V.League, and the 33rd SEA Games.
The players are composed of 15 current Alas members, UAAP standouts, foreign-based aces, and other PVL stars, who will then compete for roster spots in a series of national squad tryouts.
According to PNVF president Ramon “Tats” Suzara, the “wish list” is composed of those whom he wants to see don the Philippine flag in international tournaments, starting with the 6th AVC Challenge Cup for Women on June 8-15.
The tournament will be followed by the 5th SEA V. League Weeks 1 and 2 on July 25-27, and August 1-3, respectively.
Philippine volleyball will then end the year at the SEA Games in Thailand from December 7-19.
“This is a wish list of players for the national team that I fervently want to see competing for out flag and country,” Suzara said in a statement.
The list of players includes setters Mars Alba (Choco Mucho), Tia Andaya (USA), Julia Coronel (Galeries Tower), Jia de Guzman (Creamline), Camila Lamina (NU), and liberos Dawn Catindig (Cignal), Justine Jazareno (Akari), Jennifer Nierva (Chery Tiggo), and Hannah Stires (USA).
Outside hitters Bella Belen (NU), Vange Alinsug (NU), Angel Canino (La Salle), Vanessa Gandler (Cignal), Eya Laure, Alleiah Malalulan (La Salle), Arah Panique (NU), Glaudine Troncoso (ZUS Coffee), Brooke Van Sickle (Petro Gazz), Shaina Nitura (Adamson), and Savannah Davidson (PLDT) provide star power to the national crew.
Middle blockers consist of Thea Gagate (ZUS Coffee), Clarisse Loresco (FEU), Maddie Madayag (Japan), Del Palomata (PLDT), Jeanette Panaga (Creamline), Jana Philips (Petro Gazz), Amie Provido (La Salle), and Fifi Sharma (AkarI).
Opposite spiker Tots Carlos (Creamline), Shevana Laput (La Salle), Faith Nisperos (Akari), Alyssa Solomon (NU), and Eli Soyud (Akari) complete the cast.
Alas head coach Jorge Sauza de Brito believes these players will make up the best possible team this year.
“We are very confident to tap the best players in every position,” De Brito said. “The Philippines has a lot of great talents from the collegiate ranks up to the pro ranks, and we are improving ever since I arrived. We just need to work hard to let the players grow.”
The dates and venues for the tryouts have yet to be determined.
De Brito will supervise the tryouts, according to the PNVF.
Under the Brazilian mentor, the team bagged bronze in the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup, its highest finish in the regional competition.
De Brito’s contract is expected to last until December 2025, right after the SEA Games. – Rappler.com