ALAS Pilipinas is set to make another historic run in the 2025 VTV International Women’s Volleyball Cup.
Alas Pilipinas AVC PHOTO
But the Philippine national volleyball team will be challenged by host Vietnam in its first match on Sunday at 8 p.m.
Having secured a silver medal at the 2025 Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Cup, Alas Pilipinas continues to strive for greater feats, commencing their campaign with a highly anticipated rematch against Vietnam, its Finals tormentors. This time — the Philippine national women’s volleyball team shuffled their cards.
Alas, bannered by Filipino American Brooke Van Sickle, a Premier Volleyball League (PVL) three-time Most Valuable Player (MVP), will show her offensive prowess as she suits up for the country for the first time.
Two Fil-Ams also fortified the national team lineup as PVL All-Filipino Finals MVP MJ Phillips, and setter Tia Andaya join the loaded roster. Team captain and lead playmaker Jia De Guzman will lead the mix of new Alas Pilipinas comers and holdovers.
With her veteran playmaking, Team Philippines is expected to be unpredictable against the Vietnamese hitters, while veteran libero Dawn Catindig will provide steady floor defense for the squad.
Choco Mucho star middle-blocker Maddie Madayag is set to make her return with the national team for the first time since the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.
She will be joined by Alas towers Fifi Sharma and Thea Gagate in the middle rotation lineup. De La Salle University stalwarts Mars Alba, Leila Cruz, Alleiah Malaluan, Amie Provido and Justine Jazareno are all on board to give that winning pedigree to the national team.
Eya Laure, Vanie Gandler, Dell Palomata and Lams Lamina, who all played a pivotal role in the country’s silver finish in the AVC Cup, serve as the steady anchors of the squad.
However, UAAP three-time MVP Bella Belen, UAAP Season 86 Rookie-MVP Angel Canino, UAAP Season 87 Rookie of the Year Shaina Nitura, former La Salle setter Julia Coronel and libero Jen Nierva are not included in the current roster.
On Monday, Alas Pilipinas will face China’s Sichuan at 5:30 p.m, and on July 1st, the Philippine team braces for the tall Australian side at 3 p.m.
