Niña Ytang made an immediate impact in her first match for Alas Pilipinas, and one of the country’s most accomplished volleyball stars took notice.
Fresh off withdrawing from the 2026 PVL Draft to focus on national team duties, Ytang delivered an impressive performance in her Alas debut, helping the Philippines sweep Uzbekistan, 25-16, 25-12, 25-14, in the opening match of the 2026 AVC Women’s Volleyball Cup.
The former University of the Philippines standout finished with 12 points built on 8 attacks and 4 kill blocks, providing a strong presence at the net as Alas Pilipinas opened its Pool A campaign on a winning note.
Valdez Commends Ytang’s Energy
While Ytang’s numbers stood out, team captain Alyssa Valdez pointed to another quality that has quickly made the middle blocker a valuable addition to the squad.
“Niña Ytang is such a jolly person and gives energy to the team,” said Valdez.
“More than her skills, I think her personality actually helps the team’s chemistry to be better and to improve our game in the next few games.”
Younger Players Integrated Into National Team
Ytang is among several younger players being integrated into the national team setup as Alas Pilipinas continues to build its pool for future international competitions.
For Valdez, one of the most encouraging developments during the team’s three-week buildup has been seeing the growth and maturity of the younger players, both on and off the court.
“Nakakatuwa kasi leader na rin ’yung mga bata ngayon,” she said.
“Grabe ’yung personality nila and character development nila throughout the three weeks na we are together, so we are very, very happy to be here at makita rin ’yung growth nila as individuals.”
Valdez Highlights Other Young Standouts
Valdez also commended the efforts of fellow young standouts in the program, including Tin Ubaldo, Cla Loresco, Jaz Ellarina, Lara Mae Silva, and Natalie Estreller, highlighting their willingness to learn and contribute despite limited preparation time.
With veterans like Valdez, Ces Molina, and Jovelyn Gonzaga providing leadership, Alas Pilipinas has embraced a blend of experience and youth in its latest campaign.
And if Ytang’s debut was any indication, the national team may have found another key piece for the future.
