The return of the Alas Pilipinas women’s core

Photo via ABS-CBN News

The return of veteran players and familiar faces marks a new chapter for Alas Pilipinas as the team gears up for the Asian Games.

The Philippine Olympic Committee (P.O.C.) has tapped the returning Alas Pilipinas women’s volleyball core, led by Jia De Guzman, for the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, scheduled from September 19 to October 4.

Taka Minowa, a new assigned head coach that will be joining the team for the Asian Games. An experienced mentor who previously coached Akari in the Premier Volleyball League (P.V.L.) and the Alas Pilipinas women in 2024 before joining Japan’s Aisin Tealmare Hekinan as an assistant coach.

Several members of the Alas Pilipinas core that competed over the past 2 years made a comeback to the national team after sitting out the previous Asian Volleyball Confederation (A.V.C.) Women’s Volleyball Nations Cup in Candon City.

Leading the pool are Jia De Guzman, Justine Jazareno, Jen Nierva, Bella Belen, Eya Laure, Angel Canino, Fifi Sharma, Vanie Gandler, Alleiah Malaluan, Amie Provido, Dell Palomata, Dawn Catindig, and Mars Alba.

Also included in the pool are Alyssa Solomon, Thea Gagate, and Niña Ytang, who represented the country in Candon City, along with 10-time P.V.L. Best Middle Blocker Pangs Panaga, Erika Santos, Gel Cayuna, Arah Panique, and Shaira Jardio.

Meanwhile, University Athletic Association of the Philippines (U.A.A.P.) Shaina Nitru remains part of the pool despite undergoing ankle surgery, with the P.O.C. expecting her recovery to take about three months.

Under the guidance of Taka Minowa, the squad aims to build on its established core as it prepares for the Asian Games.