Managing fatigue and ensuring a quick recovery will be among the first challenges for Alas Pilipinas Girls in the FIVB Volleyball Girls’ U17 World Championship as the team embarks on a grueling 32-hour journey from Manila to Chile.
University of Santo Tomas’ Megan Yesha Hernandez, National University’s Xyz Ellen Rayco, King’s Montessori School’s Sharina Rhyza Lleses, Bacolod Tay Tung’s Cristina Madela Gale, and St. John’s Institute Bacolod City’s Caera Celis led the squad that departed on Monday for the 24-nation tournament, which will be held from August 6 to 16.
Coach Edwin Leyva believes the lengthy trip could work to the team’s advantage, giving the players valuable time to rest and strengthen their chemistry before the competition begins.
“Hopefully with the long flight medyo makabawi-bawi sa bonding yung players,” Leyva said. “We didn’t have a lot of time to prepare for this, but we did our best in the short time we had, and I believe in this team. We have good players, and we are confident we can do better than our last tournament.”
Leyva — who steered the Philippines to a fifth-place finish in the Asian Volleyball Confederation U16 Women’s Championship to secure a berth in the world meet — also called on Filipinos to rally behind the team.
“We hope the country would support us, pray for us,” Leyva said. “Kami naman we’ll give our best and put up a good fight for the country.”
Featuring standouts from some of the country’s top volleyball programs, Alas Pilipinas—backed by the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, and Asics—also includes Ateneo’s Resty Jane Olaguir and Jhenica Sadia, UST’s Taj Arkhea Teves, Leyte National High School’s Nadeth Faye Herbon, and San Felipe Neri Catholic School’s Jello Andrea Mauricio.
The Philippines, ranked No. 25 in the world, also boasts National University’s Jhaynna Love Bulandres, Irish May Mahinay, Princess Khaira Manzano, and Frances Dianne Ramos. The Filipinas are drawn in Pool B alongside world No. 1 China, Mexico, Peru, Tunisia, and Venezuela.
Host Chile heads Pool A with Czechia, Egypt, Thailand, Türkiye, and the United States. World No. 2 Japan leads Pool C, which also features Argentina, Brazil, Croatia, Spain, and Poland. Third-ranked Italy tops Pool D with Korea, Algeria, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and Chinese Taipei.
