Kianna Dy, Sam Cantada get Alas Pilipinas pool invite for AVC Cup
PLDT’s Kianna Dy gets a call-up from Alas Pilipinas for the first time since 2021.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) eyes 27 players from the Premier Volleyball League (PVL), UAAP, and NCAA to make up the Alas Pilipinas training pool for the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Women’s Cup from June 6 to 14 in Candon City.
In a list obtained by Inquirer, new Alas Pilipinas coach Tai Bundit seeks to begin his training in early May, with the training pool bannered by the Alas core that represented the country in international tournaments for the past two years, with some new additions to the program.
The PNVF looks to run it back with Alas Pilipinas mainstays led by captain Jia De Guzman, newly-crowned PVL MVP Vanie Gandler, Capital1’s top rookie Bella Belen, Japan SV.League player Alyssa Solomon, Eya Laure, Alleiah Malaluan, Mars Alba, Maddie Madayag, Fifi Sharma, Justine Jazareno, and Jen Nierva as well as UAAP stars Season 88 MVP Shaina Nitura, Angel Canino, and Amie Provido.
PLDT star and former national team player Kianna Dy receives a national team call-up for the first time since she last played in 2021. PVL on Tour MVP Erika Santos from Cignal, Galeries Tower’s No. 2 overall pick and All-Star Jean Asis, and two-time PVL Best Middle Blocker Riza Nogales from ZUS Coffee also gets an opportunity to be part of the Alas training pool.
La Salle captain Shevana Laput, NU rookie sensation Sam Cantada and star libero Shaira Jardio, as well as Arah Panique, who played for Alas in 2024, are all part of the wishlist, including Far Eastern University’s Tin Ubaldo and Jaz Ellarina and the University of the Philippines graduating star Nina Ytang.
Reigning NCAA MVP Zam Nolasco from College of Saint Benilde and Letran champion player Vanessa Sarie also received a call-up.
READ: Jia De Guzman calls for support, balance amid Alas Pilipinas issues
“We took a deliberate and above-board approach—working closely with PVL, team owners, and collegiate leagues—to ensure alignment across the entire volleyball ecosystem,” said PNVF Executive Director Dr. Iby Bautista. “We have listened to our players, and their welfare is at the heart of everything we are building. Our goal is an inclusive, collaborative system where all stakeholders—athletes, clubs, and the federation—move together, in service of our athletes and for the pride of flag and country.”
The PNVF said it is finalizing coordination with all stakeholders, teams, and athletes.
“Participation in the training pool is voluntary,” the PNVF wrote in a statement. “Athletes retain the right to accept or decline the national team invitation, and PNVF is committed to working through their respective clubs and institutions to ensure no player is placed in a position where they must choose between national team service and their professional or academic careers.”
In the past two AVC Women’s Cups, Alas earned a breakthrough bronze medal in 2024 at Rizal Memorial Coliseum, then reached the championship last year before falling to host and defending champion Vietnam. De Guzman is a two-time Best Setter in the tournament, while Canino won two individual awards playing for different positions as the Best Opposite Spiker two years ago, then continued to thrive in her original role as Best Outside Hitter.
READ: As Alas falls short anew, Jia De Guzman urges long-term prep
The Philippines is slated in Pool A with Chinese Taipei, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Australia, and Uzbekistan. Defending champion Vietnam headlines Pool B with Kazakhstan, Iran, Indonesia, Hong Kong, and Lebanon.
Last month, De Guzman and other Alas players called for support and balance amid the matters concerning the Philippine women’s volleyball team.
The PNVF, under the leadership of Tonyboy Liao, reaffirmed its commitment to the welfare of all national team athletes, assuring that it “heard the players’ voices and will take their concerns seriously.
“The federation is actively addressing outstanding financial obligations and is committed to ensuring timely compensation and transparent financial processes going forward. Athletes joining the training pool will be entitled to clearly defined support structures, including competitive allowances, insurance coverage, and a communicated training and competition calendar that respects their club and personal schedules. PNVF commits to maintaining open dialogue channels with player representatives throughout the duration of the national team program,” said the PNVF in a statement.
