Alas Pilipinas at AVC Women’s Nations Cup 2026: what to know
MANILA, Philippines–The new-look Alas Pilipinas squad defends home court in the AVC Women’s Nations Cup from June 6 to 14 at the Candon City Arena in Ilocos Sur.
Despite several challenges, the Philippine women’s national volleyball team remains focused on fighting for the country’s pride against its Asian rivals after reaching the podium in each of the last two editions.
Who is playing in the AVC Women’s Nations Cup
Twelve teams are competing in the tournament in Candon.
The Philippines is in Pool A with powerhouses Chinese Taipei and South Korea, as well as Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Australia.
Defending champion Vietnam, meanwhile, banners Pool B alongside Kazakhstan, Iran, Indonesia, Hong Kong and Lebanon.
The pool stage will be played in a single round-robin format, with only the top two teams from each group advancing to the knockout semifinals.
What went before
Alas Pilipinas during the AVC Women’s Nations Cup final against Vietnam.–AVC PHOTO
Alas reached the finals last year–the country’s first championship appearance in the AVC–but settled for silver after losing to Vietnam.
The nationals were led by Jia De Guzman, a two-time tournament Best Setter, and Angel Canino under Brazilian coach Jorge Souza de Brito.
Canino has been Alas’ main offensive weapon in the past two years. She debuted for the national team in 2024 in a different position but still emerged as the Best Opposite Spiker in the country’s bronze-medal finish at Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Last year, Canino returned to her natural position and won Best Outside Spiker honors.
Alas was also led by Alyssa Solomon, who had a change of heart and returned to the program this year, along with Bella Belen, Shaina Nitura, Dawn Catindig, Eya Laure, Fifi Sharma and Vanie Gandler.
Most of the national team mainstays from last year’s squad begged off from this year’s tournament, forcing the program to tap former national team players and newcomers.
Who is playing for Alas Pilipinas
Alas Pilipinas interim coach Shaq Delos Santos with players Alyssa Valdez, Niña Ytang, Ces Molina and Jov Gonzaga during the PSA Forum.–CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Alyssa Valdez, Ces Molina, and Jovelyn Gonzaga are reunited in the national team since the 2019 Southeast Asian Games in Manila.
The trio will lead a new-look roster with Alas mainstays Alyssa Solomon and Thea Gagate.
Creamline stars Tots Carlos, Kyle Negrito and Kyla Atienza will also return to international competition after their club represented the national team in 2022.
Veterans Ara Galang, Royse Tubino and Alyssa Eroa earned their first opportunity to represent the country, joining collegiate standouts Niña Ytang, Tin Ubaldo and Cla Loresco.
Shaq Delos Santos will serve as interim coach after Tai Bundit figured in an accident in Bangkok.
The FIVB tasked the AVC to help ensure the successful staging of the tournament by monitoring the Local Organizing Committee led by the Singson group and the city of Candon after the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) was suspended last week.
Hila Asanuma, the FIVB-appointed Ad Hoc Committee head, assured that the committee’s “immediate priorities include supporting the participation of Philippine national teams in upcoming international competitions.”
The PNVF was suspended by both the FIVB and the Philippine Olympic Committee last week.
Who is saying what
Creamline Cool Smashers’ star Alyssa Valdez. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Although she has been away from international competition since the 2023 Southeast Asian Games and saw a reduced role with Creamline in the PVL, Alyssa Valdez remains committed to helping the national team whenever called upon.
“I will never get tired of representing the country,” Valdez said. “And hopefully, hopefully, hopefully, we can help [the team] in our own little ways.”
Valdez, together with Molina and Gonzaga, hopes to bring pride to the country after the trio last played together in 2019, when the Philippines suffered a heartbreaking five-set loss to Indonesia in the bronze-medal match.
“It’s just hard to say no to the Philippines,” said Gonzaga.
“Our ability is our availability. This is the most available we are as athletes and how we can contribute to the national team. Hopefully, this all pays off, and we’ll see. We believe.”
It may be a retooled Alas team with limited preparation, but Delos Santos believes that these nationals have the fight in them.
“We have these players who are committed to representing our country,” said the Alas interim coach.
“We’re focused on the idea that this team built and the players included will do their roles in not just working together but also in fighting for the Philippines.”
