Alas Girls will leave for Chile this week, determined to embrace the biggest challenge of their young careers as they compete in the FIVB Volleyball Girls U17 World Championship.
The Philippine youth squad will face some of the world’s top teams in the August 6 to 16 tournament, carrying the confidence gained from its breakthrough qualification in the Asian Volleyball Confederation Women’s U16 Championship.
Despite going up against traditional volleyball powerhouses, the Filipinas — backed by the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Sports Commission — insist they are entering the tournament without fear.
“Pare-parehas lang po kaming nagte-training at magkaka-aga lang kami, so dapat huwag kaming matakot at ipakita lang namin kung ano pong meron sa team,” said UST standout Megan Hernandez.
Leading scorer Xyz Rayco, who starred in the AVC U16 Championship, shared the same mindset.
“Kailangan ipakita namin na palaban kami,” Rayco said.
Assistant coach Oliver Balse believes the team can hold its own against taller opponents through skill and preparation.
“Sa age-group, kahit ibang lahi, pare-pareho pa. Merong taller players of course, but skills makakatapat tayo sa kanila,” Balse said.
The Philippines is drawn in Pool B alongside China, Mexico, Peru, Tunisia, and Venezuela.
Joining Hernandez and Rayco on the roster are National University standouts Khaira Manzano, Irish Mahinay, Frances Ramos, and Jhaynna Bulandres; Bacolod Tay Tung’s Madele Gale; King’s Montessori School’s Sharina Lleses; Caera Celis of St. John’s Institute; Ateneo’s Resty Jane Olaguir and Jhenica Sadia; UST’s Taj Arkhea Teves; Nadeth Herbon of Leyte National High School; and Jello Andrea Mauricio of San Felipe Neri Catholic School.
Host Chile heads Pool A, which also includes Czechia, Egypt, Thailand, Türkiye, and the United States.
Pool C features Argentina, Brazil, Croatia, Spain, Japan, and Poland, while Pool D is composed of Italy, Korea, Algeria, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and Chinese Taipei.
