Alas Pilipinas Women will not have a couple of their aces for the 2024 FIVB Challenger Cup, which begins on Thursday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Multiple sources closely monitoring the situation have confirmed to Tiebreaker Times the report of Spin.ph, stating that the Chery Tiggo duo of Eya Laure and Jennifer Nierva – along with National University senior Alyssa Solomon – have been missing from the national team’s practice sessions in preparation for the global meet hosted by the country.
Laure and Nierva were pivotal players from the Alas team that won bronze in the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup a month ago.
According to a team insider, Laure and Nierva have been training with the Crossovers in preparation for the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference after the Challenge Cup.
Laure was a force for the Philippines during the continental meet, as she was one of Jorge De Brito’s primary options on offense.
With Nierva out, former PVL Most Valuable Player Jema Galanza has been listed as a libero to back up Dawn Macandili due to Nierva’s absence.
Solomon, on the other hand, is currently still recuperating from minor injuries she sustained during UAAP Season 86.
Tots Carlos was the first to beg off from the team, also citing injuries.
This leaves the core of Jia De Guzman, Sisi Rondina, Angel Canino, Macandili, Fifi Sharma, Thea Gagate, Vanie Gandler, Faith Nisperos, Julia Coronel, Dell Palomata, Cherry Nunag, and Arah Panique as the holdovers from the AVC team.
Photo from SMM
New additions are Galanza and Mhicaela Belen.
The Philippines will take on Vietnam on Thursday in the knockout quarterfinals.
There are no placement matches in the Challenger Cup.
