With four players begging off, Alas Pilipinas has added Capital1’s Leila Cruz to the national team pool.
The Akari duo of Faith Nisperos and Eli Soyud, Creamline’s Tots Carlos, and ZUS Coffee’s Chai Troncoso all passed on their invites after being named to the national team’s 33-player wishlist.
(C) PVL Images
Nisperos, one of the holdovers from last year’s Alas Pilipinas squad that captured three bronze medals, was a steady contributor for the Chargers in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
However, her performance dipped toward the latter part of what turned out to be the league’s longest conference to date, before an injury sidelined her during the bronze medal series against Choco Mucho — ultimately ruling her out of national team duties as well.
(C) PVL Images
Meanwhile, Soyud enjoyed a breakout conference, establishing herself as one of Akari’s key contributors during their bronze-medal run in the all-local tournament. She averaged 11.0 points per game in the elimination round and delivered a career-high 34-point performance against the Flying Titans in the semifinals.
The 29-year-old opposite spiker, however, decided to focus first on her mother club, choosing recovery and preparation for the next PVL season.
“Faith [Nisperos] is injured since the last part of the All-Filipino pa. Eli [Soyud] naman decided to focus on the team muna,” Chargers team manager Mozzy Ravena told Tiebreaker Times via text message.
(C) PVL Images
Carlos, on the other hand, missed Creamline’s AVC Champions League campaign due to a minor injury.
With four players unavailable, Alas Pilipinas tapped the 25-year-old Cruz — the second overall pick in last year’s PVL Draft — who has already been actively participating in the national team’s training sessions.
“Leila [Cruz] is a replacement [for] Faith and Eli from Akari,” said Alas Pilipinas head coach Jorge Souza de Brito.
The former La Salle standout is coming off her best conference yet with the Solar Spikers, averaging 10.4 points per game in the 2024-25 All-Filipino tilt.
Standing at 6-foot-1, Cruz adds valuable height to the opposite position, where she’ll be vying for a roster spot alongside former Lady Spikers teammate Shevana Laput and NU’s Alyssa Solomon.
Of the three opposite spikers named to the national team pool, only Cruz has reported for practice so far, as Solomon and Laput are still on break after facing off in the UAAP Season 87 Finals.
Solomon, Laput, along with La Salle teammates Angel Canino and Amie Provido are expected to join the national team training soon.
Also set to attend practice is Brooke Van Sickle, who is still out of the country.
