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Who could be the talents representing Alas Pilipinas in the 2029 FIVB Women’s World Championship?
Four years from now, the Philippines will be hosting the 2029 FIVB Women’s World Championship, meaning that it will be Alas Women’s turn to carry the flag on the international stage.
Without a doubt, the next four years will be interesting for Alas Women, with their veterans entering the twilight of their careers and young stars entering their physical primes. Given this, we’d like to ask, what would Alas Pilipinas’ player pool look like ahead of the 2029 World Championship?
In creating this piece, The GAME will assume that Filipina-foreigners such as Brooke Van Sickle, Savi Davison, MJ Phillips, and Shevanna Laput have completed their federation shifts to the Philippines.
With that being said, let’s take a way-too-early look at Alas Pilipinas Women in the 2029 World Championship.
Setters
By 2029, captain-setter Jia de Guzman would already be 34, so while she will likely remain as captain, the World Championship will be amid her later years for the national team. Jia has long been passionate about carrying the flag, so playing in the 2029 Worlds will be a perfect culmination for her journey.
Behind Jia will be an experienced group of setters, each in the running to become Alas Women’s next lead setter once “Jia-mazing” bids farewell to the national team program.
Along with current pool members in Lams Lamina, Mars Alba, and Julia Coronel, 2029 could see current UST star Cassie Carballo and FEU’s Tin Ubaldo finally in the running for a national team spot. Fil-Am Tia Andaya, who mixes her playmaking with versatility, is another option that could be considered.
Aneeza Santos, a towering setter who has played for Alas Under-19, should also be in consideration, and even national teammate Maile Salang, who is currently playing for Hawaii Pacific University in the United States.
Middle Blockers
Thea Gagate, Fifi Sharma, Dell Palomata, and Cla Loresco may be the usual middle blockers for Alas Women, but the country actually has a deep pool of net defenders waiting in the wings.
Top of mind, there is ZUS Coffee’s AC Miner, whose prowess at the net is accompanied by her versatility, which was highlighted by her play as an opposite hitter for Ateneo. Not to mention, Miner previously represented the Philippines during the 2023 Southeast Asia V.League along with a core led by the NU Lady Bulldogs.
There is also DLSU’s Amie Provido, who debuted for Alas Women during the 2025 VTV International Cup last July. As a one-time Best Middle Blocker in the UAAP, Provido’s five-foot-eleven frame is coupled with lateral quickness that is crucial to closing out opposing spikers.
Over in FEU, Jaz Ellarina has found her niche as a middle blocker, and her six-foot frame will no doubt be invaluable on the world stage. As early as now, Ellarina has been given a bigger role for the Lady Tamaraws, which should be a crucial stepping stone for her growth.
If we’re talking about the veterans, Maddie Madayag will only be 31 by 2029, and will bring an added layer of leadership on top of her court smarts; Petro Gazz’s MJ Phillips is a fearsome two-way threat. Or how about PLDT’s Majoy Baron even? Four years is a long time, and anything could still happen.
Circling back to the mainstays, Loresco is a project whose confidence has been shaped by her first-ever national team call-up, so just imagine once she matures further under Tina Salak in FEU, and her future call-ups for the national team.
Outside Hitters
On paper, this is another position where the Philippines will have a happy problem, starting with mainstays like Angel Canino, Bella Belen, and Eya Laure entering their prime years. Canino would be 26, Belen would be 27, and Laure would be 30. That’s not even counting the experiences they would gain along the way, whether it’s in the PVL or an overseas club offer.
Behind these talents would be Shaina Nitura, who would already be a senior in the UAAP with Adamson by then. Like her ates in Alas Women, Nitura is expected to be a mainstay in the national team, and can only get better after showing signs of potential in the 2025 national team season. If she’s already mixing her raw athleticism with a high volleyball IQ as a rookie, what more when she gets exposure over the next few years?
Again, Filipina-foreigners such as Brooke Van Sickle and Savi Davison could have completed their federation switch at this point, which would give Alas Women another pair of explosive hitters to choose from. Let’s not forget about Vanie Gandler either, especially as she continues to embrace a bigger role with the Cignal HD Spikers. Akari’s Faith Nisperos, meanwhile, could also be on track for a resurgence as she brings back her versatility to the Nationals.
How about the youth movement? By this time, junior stars such as Rhose Almendralejo, Sam Cantada, and Denesse Daylisan, among other youth standouts, should already be part of the seniors’ team as they embark on their collegiate careers.
Opposite Spikers
Quite literally and figuratively, the biggest addition to Alas Women in 2029 could be Shevana Laput. Through the steady guidance of Ramil de Jesus, Laput has grown into one of the country’s most promising young talents and has formed a one-two punch with Canino as a DLSU Lady Spiker. Without a doubt, overseas offers are in store for the Fil-Aussie once she plays out her final years in the UAAP.
Should Laput’s federation switch go through, then she will join a pool led by another towering hitter in Alyssa Solomon, who is currently in the Japan SV.League with the JT Osaka Marvelous. If the stars align, then we could expect Solomon and Laput to enter the national team, bringing a treasure trove of experience playing overseas.
Liberos
Leading Alas’ young liberos would be Justine Jazareno, who is a walking mix of hustle, grit, and high volleyball IQ in one player. So while Dawn Macandili-Catindig isn’t getting any younger, Jazareno should do just fine in taking over floor defense duties for the Alas Women.
Jennifer Nierva is likely to remain in the running for a libero slot, while current collegiate stars in UST’s Detdet Pepito and NU’s Shaira Jardio could also be considered. How about a comeback for Kath Arado if we want some veteran legs?
But again, nothing is certain for Alas Pilipinas, and four years is still a long time. Within that buildup, some stars may regress, while new talents could emerge and make their name while carrying the flag. Only time will tell whether or not today’s stars will be the ones wearing the tricolors come 2029.
Either way, it’s going to be an interesting time for Alas Women and their four-year road to the Women’s World Championship.
Banner images from the Southeast Asian Volleyball Association on Facebook.