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These are the aces who are likely to represent Alas Pilipinas in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games.
Familiar faces will once again be in the running for a national team slot, as Alas Pilipinas Women seek to end a two-decade medal drought in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games this December.
Captain-setter Jia Morado-De Guzman will once again lead the Nationals, which is composed of standout talents from both the PVL and the UAAP. Backing her up is new Akari playmaker Mars Alba, while Julia Coronel from the Galeries Tower Highrisers returns to provide height on top of her playmaking.
De Guzman’s co-captain, Dawn Macandili-Catindig, leads the libero pool that features two bright youngsters in Justine Jazareno and Jennifer Nierva. In particular, Jazareno won Best Libero at the SEA V.League last August, having proven her mettle internationally as she brings a mix of hustle and court smarts.
“Nothing less than the gold medal,” declared Ramon “Tats” Suzara, president of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation, after the association board approved Brazilian head coach Jorge Edson Souza de Brito’s picks for the national team.
Now with Osaka Marvelous in the Japan SV.League, Alyssa Solomon headlines a lean but mean opposite hitter pool. Choco Mucho’s Kat Tolentino could also make a comeback after three years as she makes the most out of her second chance at volleyball. Leila Cruz from Capital1 is also in the race for a spot after being integrated into head coach Jorge De Brito’s pool earlier this year.
Alas Women will be spoiled for choice at the outside hitter position, with DLSU’s Angel Canino, Adamson’s Shaina Nitura, Capital1’s Bella Belen, Cignal’s Vanie Gandler, PLDT’s Alleiah Malaluan, and free agent Eya Laure all in consideration. All players have prior national team experience under their belt, especially with Canino already having Best Opposite Spiker and Best Outside Hitter awards early on.
Last but not least are the middle blockers, which once again feature ZUS Coffee’s Thea Gagate, Akari’s Fifi Sharma, and Choco Mucho veteran Maddie Madayag. Reigning UAAP Best Middle Blocker Amie Provido is also in consideration after making her national team debut in the VTV Cup last July.
Alas Women are also expected to hold a training camp from November 15 to 30, either in Japan or Taiwan, according to Suzara, while the indoor volleyball competition will be staged from December 10 to 19 at the Huamark Indoor Stadium in Bangkok.
The Philippines has won the SEA Games women’s volleyball gold medal six times — the last in 1993 in Singapore — while Thailand is the region’s powerhouse with 16 golds.
Images from the Southeast Asian Volleyball Federation on Facebook.