CANDON, Ilocos Sur – Niña Ytang is taking a sponge-like approach in her first stint with Alas Pilipinas, eager to absorb as much knowledge and experience as she can from her veteran teammates and coaches.
Ytang has been a steady presence for the Philippines in its first two games of the 2026 AVC Women’s Volleyball Cup presented by the Philippine Sports Commission, delivering back-to-back double-digit performances against Uzbekistan on Saturday and Australia on Sunday.
The former University of the Philippines standout posted 12 points on eight attacks and four kill blocks in her national team debut, a 25-16, 25-12, 25-14 win over the Uzbeks. She then followed it up with 13 points on nine attacks, three aces, and one block in the 22-25, 25-23, 25-18, 15-25, 11-15 loss to the Australians.
Beyond the numbers, the former UP star has provided energy and stability at the net. She gave Alas Pilipinas a reliable presence in key stretches of both matches as the new-look squad continues to search for its rhythm and build cohesion in the tournament.
“I would say marami po akong natutunan, lalo na sa sarili ko,” said the 24-year-old middle blocker out of Bantayan, Cebu.
“Of course, laging andiyan ‘yung mga ates and coaches na laging nag-ga-guide. Sa ngayon, more on lessons lang talaga ‘yung focus ko ngayon.”
Ytang skipped the 2026 Premier Volleyball League Draft to focus on her national team campaign and has so far delivered on that decision with strong performances in the tournament co-presented by the FIVB, AVC, Volleyball World, and Candon City headed by Mayor Eric Singson.
She now looks to build on that strong start, as Alas Pilipinas seeks to further sharpen its composure and improve communication in its next games as it continues its campaign in the tournament.
“I think it’s the composure and ‘yung connection sa isa’t isa po,” she said.
“Laging communication, lalo na mahirap po na kakasama lang namin, so communication and composure sa loob ng court.”
