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If all goes according to plan, we might just see the return of a familiar national team core to Alas Pilipinas in the Asian Games.
Alas Pilipinas will lean on familiarity when it competes at the Aichi-Nagoya 20th Asian Games starting this September 19.
Now managed by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), Alas’ player pools are composed of stars who competed in major tilts like the FIVB Men’s World Championship, AVC Women’s Cup, and the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand last year.
Here are the lineups, as revealed over the weekend.
A Reunion in the Works for Alas Women?
Called up to Alas Women are pioneers led by captain-setter Jia de Guzman and libero Dawn Macandili-Catindig — the same core that delivered a historic bronze medal at the AVC Women’s Cup (then known as the AVC Challenge Cup) on home soil, which they followed with a breakthrough silver in last year’s staging.
Behind de Guzman is Akari playmaker Mars Alba, who was the captain’s backup in the SEA Games. New Nxled setter Gel Cayuna is also in the running for a national team spot, and should bring a more up-tempo style of play to Alas.
Justine Jazareno is on track to make her national team comeback along with Catindig. As seen last year, the Akari star has emerged as heir apparent to Ms. Everywhere, thanks to her mix of agility, hustle, and court smarts as the primary floor defender. Shaira Jardio has emerged as one of the UAAP’s most stable liberos, thus earning herself a call-up, while Jen Nierva could make a return to national team play.
As expected, the outside hitter pool poses a happy problem, bringing a mix of power-hitters and all-around aces — from tremendously improved stars like Vanie Gandler Bella Belen, Shaina Nitura and Alleiah Malaluan, to mainstays in Angel Canino and Vanie Gandler.
Alyssa Solomon should be a shoo-in at opposite with her mix of power and height. The question now is who will back up the former Osaka Marvelous spiker. Will it be Erika Santos coming off her breakout PVL season? Or is it Arah Panique making the cut after showing promise as a starter for the Lady Bulldogs?
And then there are the middle blockers, with Niña Ytang being added to a pool filled with veterans and present-day stars. A holdover from the AVC Women’s Cup, Ytang showed promise in her Alas Women debut, being a silver lining in the Nationals’ eighth-place finish.
Reigning PVL Best Middle Blocker Pangs Panaga is also in the running, along with OG Alas stars in Thea Gagate, Amie Provido, Dell Palomata, and Fifi Sharma.
Japanese coach Taka Minowa has been called up to lead Alas Women, who will be tasked to lead a core who is no stranger to making history. Still, Minowa isn’t a stranger to Philippine volleyball, coaching the Nxled Chameleons and Akari Chargers from 2023 to 2025. Minowa also handled Alas’ youth programs in 2024.
World Championship Core Retained for Alas Men
Save for a few movements, Alas Men is also parading an intact core, with Coach Angiolino Frigoni being retained for the Asiad.
Veterans Bryan Bagunas and Marck Espejo reunite fresh off championships with their international club teams, along with the National University core of Michaelo Buddin, Peng Taguibolos, and Leo Ordiales. Like Bagunas and Espejo, the National U is fresh off a championship run, as they completed a historic UAAP men’s volleyball six-peat.
Owa Retamar, now with Vishka in Cambodia, remains the Nationals’ main setter, while Josh Ybañez and Vince Lorenzo hold down the floor defense. Lloyd Josafat completes the middle blocking pool, while UST’s Al-Bukharie Sali is eyed at opposite after making his debut at the SEA Games.
Five-time Spiker’s Turf MVP Jude Garcia has been added to the lineup , and could finally make his indoor volleyball debut at the international stage. A SEA Games bronze medalist, Garcia is capable of playing both wing spiker positions, giving Frigoni a welcome dose of flexibility.
Criss Cross’ Adi Villados also earned himself a call-up after steering Criss Cross’ repeat bid in the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference. The former Arellano University setter tossed up 5.31 excellent sets per frame as he took over from the injured Ish Polvorosa.
Though veteran Kim Malabunga is notably absent, two promising middle blockers in Trevor Valera and Rodge Alejos have been added to the 14-man roster.
Banner images from the Southeast Asian Volleyball Association on Facebook.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Alas Women’s pool includes captain-setter Jia de Guzman, libero Dawn Macandili-Catindig, opposite Alyssa Solomon, and outside hitters including Angel Canino and Alleiah Malaluan. Playmaker Mars Alba, setter Gel Cayuna, and middle blockers Pangs Panaga and Thea Gagate are also in the running.
The Alas Men’s pool features veterans Bryan Bagunas and Marck Espejo alongside the National University core of Michaelo Buddin, Peng Taguibolos, and Leo Ordiales. Setter Owa Retamar, liberos Josh Ybañez and Vince Lorenzo, and Jude Garcia are also named in the 14-man roster.
The 20th Asian Games are held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, beginning September 19, 2026. Alas Pilipinas — now managed by the Philippine Olympic Committee — will compete in both men’s and women’s volleyball events.
Japanese coach Taka Minowa will lead Alas Women at the Asian Games. Minowa previously coached the Nxled Chameleons and Akari Chargers from 2023 to 2025 and handled Alas’ youth programs in 2024. Coach Angiolino Frigoni is retained to lead Alas Men.
Alas Women won bronze at the AVC Women’s Cup — then known as the AVC Challenge Cup — when it was held on home soil, and followed that with a silver medal at the 2024 edition. The returning core from those campaigns forms the nucleus of the 2026 Asian Games pool.
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