An Alas Pilipinas debut finally appears within reach for five-time Spikers’ Turf Most Valuable Player Jude Garcia.
After establishing himself over the past three seasons as the most dominant force in the country’s premier men’s volleyball league, Garcia has been included in the initial national team training pool as the squad ramps up preparations for the 2026 Southeast Asian V.League.
Anthony “Tony Boy” Liao, president of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation, confirmed the development to Tiebreaker Times.
Alas Pilipinas has already begun its buildup under Italian head coach Angiolino Frigoni for its upcoming campaign in the Southeast Asian V.League. The tournament returns for its first leg in Candon, Ilocos Sur, from July 15 to 19, before the second and final leg in Jakarta, Indonesia.
However, the official training pool has yet to be finalized, as Frigoni continues to assess and invite players to training sessions — similar to the approach he used last year — as part of the national team’s ongoing buildup.
The initial list is expected to expand in the coming weeks, with players likely to be added or reassessed as the coaching staff continues to evaluate options and fine-tune the roster in preparation for upcoming international competitions.
“They’re all part of the pool. Coach Angiolino (Frigoni) informs his players who will attend the next day’s training. But there’s no final list yet,” said Liao, referring to the players who have already participated in training sessions that began on May 11.
(C) Spikers Turf Images
Aside from Garcia, players who have already trained with the squad include fellow Spikers’ Turf standouts Mark Calado and Vince Imperial of Savouge, Jared Schnake of AEP-Cabstars, and fellow King Cruncher Adrian Villados, who represented the national team in the 2022 Asian Games.
UAAP standouts Kennedy Batas, Jian Salarzon, Lorenzo Gutierrez, Brian Castro, and Rodge Alejos of Ateneo; NJ Bangit, Joshua Magalaman, and Yoyong Mendoza of La Salle; Milven Francisco of UP; and JJ Macam of UST have also joined training, along with NCAA standouts Axel Van Book of San Beda and Barbie San Andres of Mapua.
Holdovers from last year’s Southeast Asian Games squad — Lloyd Josafat, Vince Lorenzo, and Al-Bukharie Sali — have likewise resumed training as part of the ongoing buildup. Meanwhile, Peng Taguibolos, Jade Disquitado, Buds Buddin, and Leo Ordiales were given extended rest and are expected to join practices on Monday.
Also invited to Monday’s training session are Greg Ancheta of National University and Far Eastern University standouts Mikko Espartero, Lirick Mendoza, and Vennie Ceballos.
Alas Pilipinas’ core players, bannered by Bryan Bagunas, Marck Espejo, and Josh Ybañez, were also given time off following their commitments with their respective overseas clubs, with Ybañez likewise scheduled for additional rest as part of the team’s managed buildup.
“As for Mark (Espejo), Bryan (Bagunas), and (Josh) Ybañez, he told them to rest first but they’re all still part of the pool. The NU players will be invited next week because the UAAP just finished,” Liao added.
The national team is coming off an impressive year under Frigoni, highlighted by a historic 19th-place finish in the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship and a bronze-medal campaign in the SEA Games.
