By: Ernest Tuazon
Creamline outside hitter Tots Carlos is unlikely to play for Alas Pilipinas Women in the upcoming FIVB Challenger Cup scheduled from July 4 to 7 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Alas Women head coach Jorge de Brito revealed this development to reporters on the last day of the 2024 FIVB Volleyball Nations League on Sunday.
“Tots has always been the one we requested for the national team. But at the moment, she’s not there,” De Brito said.
The Brazilian Olympic tactician added that Creamline’s mother company, Rebisco, will soon reveal the reason behind Carlos’ absence.
“Rebisco will release something about Carlos’ situation. What we’re expecting is to bring the players who are really good at the same time,” he added.
De Brito confirmed that Alas Pilipinas will retain the same 18-player pool, but with additions who did not participate in the nation’s historic bronze medal finish in the AVC Challenger Cup last May.
These additions are Carlos’ Creamline teammate Jema Galanza and National University standouts Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon.
“We still have the same players. Of course, we’re gonna add, but now for the lineup, we have 18 players including Jema [Galanza] and [Bella] Belen who will join us now. [The pool is] almost complete and we’ll figure it out with these [18] players,” he said.
Alas Pilipinas, led by team captain Jia Morado-De Guzman, is set to face Vietnam in the knockout quarterfinals on July 5.
One last slot for the 2025 VNL season will be awarded in the four-day tournament.
