Gang’s all here
Jia de Guzman has been invited together with the rest of the old Alas Pilipinas nucleus as the women’s national team starts to pick up the pieces under a caretaker, with its national federations suspended, and a new coach in Japanese Taka Minowa for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games from Sept. 19 to Oct. 4.
The setter extraordinaire leads the 22-woman pool, even as the Inquirer learned from sources that the suspended Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) has invited De Guzman and long-time national team players Alyssa Valdez and Jovelyn Gonzaga to be part of the Athletes’ Commission on Monday afternoon as required by the FIVB ad hoc committee to sort the mess out in the PNVF.
Solomon included
Minowa, the husband of former women’s national team star Jaja Santiago, was named as coach of the women’s by the Philippine Olympic Committee, the federation caretaker, before the deadline of the submission of entry by names to the Asiad organizing committee on Wednesday.
The Japanese tactician was a former Akari coach in the Premier Volleyball League and handled the Alas girls’ team in 2024. He recently worked in Japan as an assistant coach for men’s club Aisin Tealmare Hekinan.
After begging off in the previous tournament in Candon City, De Guzman headlines the pool with Justine Jazareno, Jen Nierva, Bella Belen, Eya Laure, Angel Canino, Shaina Nitura, Fifi Sharma, Vanie Gandler, Alleiah Malaluan, Amie Provido, Dawn Catindig, Dell Palomata and Mars Alba.
Alyssa Solomon, Thea Gagate and Niña Ytang, who played in Candon, also got a call-up with 10-time PVL Best Middle Blocker Pangs Panaga, Erika Santos, Gel Cayuna, Arah Panique and Shaira Jardio.
The old Alas core finished as runner-up in last year’s AVC Women’s Cup before missing the tournament this year, where the retooled team missed the semifinals and ended up at eighth place, with Valdez, Gonzaga, Ces Molina and Ara Galang leading a young squad.
Minowa and some members of the Alas women have yet to respond to Inquirer text messages as of press time.
The men’s team will continue to be handled by Italian Angiolino Frigoni, who has a chance to form a deadly troika in Japan SV.League champion Bagunas, Taiwan volleyball league winner Marck Espejo and Spikers’ Turf MVP Jude Garcia.
Part of the Alas men’s pool for the Asian Games are Owa Retamar, Leo Ordiales, Buds Buddin, Lloyd Josafat, Al Bukharie Sali, Taguibolos, Josh Ybañez, Adrian Villados, Vince Lorenzo, Kristofer Rodge Alejos and Trevor Valera.
Under Frigoni, the Filipino Spikers competed in the FIVB Men’s World Championship and finished with a bronze medal in last year’s SEA Games.
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