Invites out soon for Alas Pilipinas ‘wish’ standouts
There have been no commitments yet from the players in the wish list of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF), even as coach Jorge Edson Souza de Brito said that former members of the country’s women’s team will have an edge in the battle for roster spots.
“All the players on that list deserve [a spot in the national team]. It’s my personal [point of view],” De Brito told the Inquirer. “Of course, [previous Alas players have] some advantage because they know what the coaches want from them. But consistency, chemistry and performance will always guide coaches’ decisions [in choosing the players].”
De Brito and the PNVF crafted a 33-player wish list in the hopes that club and school teams would release their standouts for the national squad that will compete in the sixth Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Challenge Cup for Women in June, the two legs of the fifth Southeast Asian V.League in July and August and the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand in December.
The 33 players were culled from an initial 52-person list.
Alas Pilipinas gave the country historic campaigns last year, highlighted by a first-ever podium finish (bronze medal) in the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup and another in the Southeast Asian V.League.
But the Brazilian mentor won’t let last year’s success define this year’s squad.
“There is so much to say about [expectations this year from last year]. I do prefer work as always than talk,” De Brito said.
De Brito said that the federation is still working on sending the invitation to the players, their mother teams and the PVL.
Among the original Alas Pilipinas mainstays in the list are national team captain Jia de Guzman, Dawn Macandili-Catindig, Eya Laure, Vanie Gandler, Thea Gagate, Fifi Sharma and Faith Nisperos.
Collegiate stars Alyssa Solomon, Arah Panique and Bella Belen of National University and La Salle’s Angel Canino were invited to return.
New names that could make the final national roster include setters Mars Alba of Choco Mucho, Tia Andaya from the United States and Camilla Lamina of National U; liberos Justine Jazareno and Hannah Stires, who is also from the United States; and opposite hitters Shevana Laput and Eli Soyud. La Salle’s Amie Provido is also on the list.
