The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) has unveiled a 33-player wishlist for the Alas Pilipinas Women, inviting them to a series of tryouts to form the national team that will compete in three major international tournaments this year.
A total of 15 players from the previous iteration of the squad have been invited back to compete for a spot in the national team.
Also being added to the pool are nine PVL players, eight UAAP standouts, two Fil-foreign players from the United States, and one from Japan’s SV.League.
Bannering the new players on the 33-player list are PVL stars Brooke Van Sickle (Petro Gazz), Savannah Davison (PLDT), and Tots Carlos (Creamline), as well as UAAP standouts Shaina Nitura (Adamson), Shevana Laput (La Salle), Vange Alinsug (National University), and Lams Lamina (National University).
“These are quality young players from the professional league PVL, from abroad and schools,” said Suzara, also the president of the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) and executive vice president of the FIVB or International Volleyball Federation.
“This is a wish list of players for the national team that I fervently want to see competing for our flag and country,” Suzara added.
Also part of the list are PVL standouts Mars Alba (Choco Mucho), Justine Jazareno (Akari), Eli Soyud (Akari), Chai Troncoso (ZUS Coffee), Jeanette Panaga (Creamline), and MJ Phillips (Petro Gazz).
Meanwhile, other UAAP players who will also be part of the pool are Alleiah Malaluan (La Salle), Clarisse Loresco (FEU), and Amie Provido (La Salle)
Fil-Am standouts Tia Andaya and Hannah Stires have been invited to return, as well as former national team member Maddie Madayag, who currently plays for the Kurobe Aquafaries in Japan.
The holdovers, on the other hand, will be led by captains Jia De Guzman and Dawn Catindig together with Bella Belen (National University), Angel Canino (La Salle), and Eya Laure.
Vanie Gandler (Cignal), Julia Coronel (Galeries Tower), Jennifer Nierva (Chery Tiggo), Faith Nisperos (Akari), Alyssa Solomon (National University), Arah Panique (National University), Thea Gagate (ZUS Coffee), Dell Palomata (PLDT) and Fifi Sharma (Akari) round out the list.
Alas Pilipinas will have a busy schedule ahead, with three major tournaments lined up this year: the 6th AVC Challenge Cup for Women from June 8 to 15, then the 5th Southeast Asian V. League — Week 1 from July 25 to 27 and Week 2 from August 1 to 3, with hosts yet to be determined.
Then they will take part in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand from December 7 to 19.
