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Alas Pilipinas will be parading an all-new core when they compete at the AVC Women’s Cup in Candon this June.
It will be back to square one for Alas Pilipinas Women ahead of the 2026 AVC Women’s Cup in Candon, Ilocos Sur, this June 6 to 14.
The Nationals are set to parade a new core for the regional tilt, with their 20-woman pool being headlined by veterans Alyssa Valdez, Ces Molina and Ara Galang, along with rising stars including former UP ace Niña Ytang and Letran Lady Knights spiker Vanessa Sarie.
Here is the pool as released by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) on Tuesday.
- Alyssa Valdez (Outside Hitter, Creamline Cool Smashers)
- Ara Galang (Outside Hitter, Farm Fresh Foxies)
- Ces Molina (Outside Hitter, Farm Fresh Foxies)
- Royse Tubino (Outside Hitter, Farm Fresh Foxies)
- Vanessa Sarie (Outside Hitter, Letran Lady Knight)
- Jovelyn Gonzaga (Opposite Spiker, ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles)
- Tots Carlos (Opposite Spiker, Creamline Cool Smashers)
- Trisha Tubu (Opposite Spiker, Farm Fresh Foxies)
- Clarisse Loresco (Middle Blocker, FEU Lady Tamaraws)
- Jaz Ellarina (Middle Blocker, FEU Lady Tamaraws)
- Lhouriz Tuddao (Middle Blocker, Adamson Lady Falcons)
- Niña Ytang (Middle Blocker, UP Lady Maroons)
- Thea Gagate (Middle Blocker, ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles)
- Cloanne Mondoñedo (Setter, ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles)
- Kyle Negrito (Setter, Creamline Cool Smashers)
- Natalie Estreller (Setter, Letran Lady Knights)
- Tin Ubaldo (Setter, FEU Lady Tamaraws)
- Alyssa Eroa (Libero, ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles)
- Kyla Atienza (Libero, Creamline Cool Smashers)
- Lara Mae Silva (Libero, Letran Knights)
Alas Pilipinas’ veterans in the 2026 pool
Plenty of veteran names have been tapped by the PNVF for this pool, with the likes of Valdez, Molina, Gonzaga, and Galang playing in previous national team iterations. In particular, the Valdez-Molina-Gonzaga trio were part of the Philippines’ 2019 Southeast Asian Games squad in Manila, where they barely missed out on a bronze medal against Indonesia.
Creamline aces Tots Carlos, Kyla Atienza, and Kyle Negrito are also in the running for spots. As part of the Cool Smashers, they have carried the flag in past AVC tilts, while Carlos was named into the national team during the 32nd SEA Games. Along with Valdez, they look to bring their championship experience to the international stage.
ZUS Coffee’s Thea Gagate and FEU’s Clarisse Loresco are remnants from Alas Pilipinas’ original core. Gagate will provide stability and height at the net, while Loresco is another middle blocker with high upside that came onboard last year.
Regardless of how the final roster turns out, one thing’s for sure and that’s Alas Women having a steady set of veterans to lean on.
Rising stars and new faces to watch
Behind the tried-and-tested veterans, multiple rising stars also get the chance to prove themselves in international play. There is ex-UP ace Ytang, who returns to the national team for the first time in three years. Since then, Ytang has grown into a four-time UAAP Best Middle Blocker, and will bring a refined skillset as an elite two-way force.
Farm Fresh’s Trisha Tubu finally gets an opportunity to test her mettle against regional foes. A four-time PVL Best Opposite Hitter, it’ll be interesting to see how Tubu can handle herself against taller and more imposing opponents. Can she use her natural explosiveness to poke holes in the defense?
There is also FEU’s Ellarina, who’s proven to be a gem in the middle as the Lady Tamaraws’ defensive anchor in the UAAP. Given her height and polished skillset, it wouldn’t be surprising if the rising star cracks the final roster.
Then we have the NCAA contingent of Sarie, Silva, and Estreller, who were all part of Letran’s championship run in Season 101. Or how about ZUS Coffee’s Eroa and Mondonedo — stars who became instrumental in the Thunderbelles’ own rise to PVL contention.
Overall, it’s an interesting bunch of new faces in this Alas Women pool, who could easily earn another call-up if they deliver in the Women’s Cup.
Banner images courtesy of the Premier Volleyball League.
Frequently Asked Questions
Alyssa Valdez, Ces Molina, Ara Galang, and Jovelyn Gonzaga headline the veteran contingent, all having represented the Philippines in previous international competitions, including the 2019 SEA Games.
The 2026 AVC Women’s Cup runs June 6 to 14 in Candon, Ilocos Sur, Philippines, where Alas Pilipinas will compete against regional opponents from across Asia.
Niña Ytang, Trisha Tubu, Jaz Ellarina, Vanessa Sarie, and Letran trio Sarie, Silva, and Estreller are among the fresh faces getting their first major international opportunity.
Alas Pilipinas’ pool consists of 20 players across all positions — outside hitters, opposites, middle blockers, setters, and liberos — as released by the PNVF.
Ytang is a four-time UAAP Best Middle Blocker returning to the national team after a three-year absence, bringing elite two-way skills developed during her standout run with UP.