Alas Pilipinas Girls faces a daunting challenge in Pool C but remains confident as it heads into the 2026 AVC Women’s U18 Volleyball Championship in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.
The Filipinas open their campaign against reigning 2025 Asian Youth U19 champion Iran on Wednesday before taking on Japan on Thursday and Indonesia on Friday.
Despite the difficult draw, Alas Pilipinas Girls head coach Karl Dimaculangan remains confident in a squad bannered by Xyz Rayco, who played a key role in helping the Philippines secure a historic berth in the 2026 FIVB Volleyball Girls’ U17 World Championship in Santiago, Chile last year.
“We have talented players, they just need to improve their level of play,” said Dimaculangan, who will be joined on the coaching staff by Keenan Quitco and Marco Maclang.
(C) AVC
Rayco will be joined by Adamson standout Ella Gonzalvo as the Filipinas look to build on the momentum of their bronze medal finish in the recently concluded Princess Cup, where host Thailand captured the championship two days ago.
Also making up the roster are Sharina Lleses, Frances Ramos, Micaella Gould, May Mahinay, Venus De Guia, Bubay Belen, Ysabelle Cruz, Slash Obera, Ysabelle Tuballas, Princess Manzano, Jhaynna Bulandres, and Adelaine Agustin.
Most of the squad comes from reigning 2026 Palarong Pambansa champion National University, with Lleses serving as the lone representative from King’s Montessori of Quezon City.
Meanwhile, Pool A is composed of Thailand, Uzbekistan, Australia, and Mongolia. Pool B features China, Kazakhstan, Hong Kong, and Kyrgyzstan, while Pool D includes Chinese Taipei, Korea, India, and 2026 Princess Cup runner-up Vietnam.
