After a tumultuous few weeks that included the FIVB suspending the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF), some international volleyball will finally be played in the country as Alas Pilipinas kick off their AVC Women’s Nations Cup campaign later today at the Candon City Arena in Ilocos Sur. The new-look national team, announced only on Friday, will go up against Uzbekistan.
What to Know: The Alas Pilipinas Lineup
Veterans Alyssa Valdez, Ces Molina, and Jovelyn Gonzaga will banner Alas Pilipinas in a national team reunion seven years in the making. All three represented the Philippines in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games in Manila. Joining them are Alas Pilipinas mainstays Alyssa Solomon and Thea Gagate; Creamline Cool Smashers stars Tots Carlos, Kyle Negrito, and Kyla Atienza; fellow veterans Ara Galang, Royse Tubino, and Alyssa Eroa; and collegiate standouts Niña Ytang, Tin Ubaldo, and Cla Loresco.
Coaching Alas Pilipinas is Shaq Delos Santos, who is temporarily taking the place of Tai Bundit after he figured in an accident in Bangkok a few weeks ago.
What to Know: The Tournament Format
A total of 12 teams divided into Pool A and Pool B are competing in the AVC Women’s Nations Cup in Candon. They will play a single round-robin format in the pool stage, with only the top two from each group advancing to the knockout crossover semifinals.
Comprising Pool A are the Philippines, Chinese Taipei, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Australia. Making up Pool B are defending champion Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Iran, Indonesia, Hong Kong, and Lebanon.
What to Know: Alas Pilipinas Schedule
As mentioned, Alas Pilipinas will open their campaign with a match against Uzbekistan later today. That will start a three-day grind that will see the national team take on Australia, Kyrgyzstan, and South Korea one after the other. Alas Pilipinas get a one-day break before rounding out pool stage play against Chinese Taipei.
What to Know: How Alas Pilipinas Fared Last Year
Alas Pilipinas bagged silver last year after making it to the finals for the first time in AVC history. Unfortunately, the national team just didn’t have an answer to powerhouse Vietnam.
That national team, though, looked very different from this year’s squad as most of the players from the 2025 iteration begged off from playing in this tournament. In fact, the only holdovers from last year’s team are Solomon, Gagate, and Loresco. Gone are Angel Canino, Bella Belen, Shaina Nitura, Eya Laure, and a host of others—including Brazilian coach Jorge Souza de Brito.
