Alas Pilipinas is set to return to international action with a reloaded lineup as it kicks off the first leg of the SEA V.League from August 1 to 3 in Thailand, looking to improve on its bronze medal finishes from last year and make a serious run at the title.
Spearheading the squad’s renewed campaign are returning stars Bella Belen, Angel Canino, and Alyssa Solomon—key figures from the team’s historic silver-medal finish at the AVC Challenge Cup. The trio, who sat out the recent VTV Cup, are now back in the fold and expected to energize the team’s offensive rhythm and floor defense.
“We’ve brought in the core that made our Nations Cup run so special,” said head coach Jorge Souza De Brito. “Now it’s about pushing further, not settling for bronze.”
While the team welcomes back familiar names, it will still be without Filipino-American standouts Brooke Van Sickle, MJ Phillips, and Tia Andaya. Their transfer papers remain in limbo, making them ineligible for both legs of the competition for now.
Despite their absence, the coaching staff has assembled a formidable roster. Fresh from impressive showings in both the UAAP and international meets, Shaina Nitura—UAAP Rookie of the Year—joins the squad alongside Cla Loresco to bolster the opposite position. The outside hitter rotation also includes veterans Eya Laure, Vanie Gandler, and Leila Cruz, who stepped up as a scoring option in the VTV Cup.
The middle blockade remains robust with Nations Cup Best Middle Blocker Dell Palomata anchoring the net, supported by Fifi Sharma, Thea Gagate, and seasoned campaigner Maddie Madayag.
Running the offense will be longtime setter Jia De Guzman, who will share playmaking duties with newcomer Mars Alba, making her much-anticipated debut for the national team. Defensively, Justine Jazareno and Dawn Macandili-Catindig will patrol the back row with their signature hustle.
“These players are our top choices for the SEA V.League legs,” De Brito affirmed. “We believe in them, especially Mars, who’s ready for her debut.”
Alas Pilipinas faces a tough road in the opening leg, beginning with host and defending champion Thailand on August 1. The squad then takes on AVC champion Vietnam on August 2, before wrapping up the first leg against regional rival Indonesia on August 3.
The second leg is scheduled for August 8 to 10 in Vietnam, offering another opportunity for the Filipinas to test their mettle against Southeast Asia’s finest.
With its core back and its ambitions intact, Alas Pilipinas is not just showing up—it’s aiming to climb the podium’s highest step.