Alas lays groundwork for Asian Games stint

MANILA, Philippines —  Alas Pilipinas plunges into the SEA V.League Leg 1 in Hanoi today not just to chase wins but to lay the groundwork for a much bigger battle ahead – the Asian Games in Aichi, Japan this September.

The Filipinas open their campaign against host and reigning leg champion Vietnam, a fitting early litmus test for a retooled squad that blends holdovers from the AVC Women’s Nations Cup in Candon, Ilocos Sur and returning veterans.

Alyssa Solomon, Thea Gagate and Niña Ytang remain at the core after carrying the fight in Candon more than a month ago, now joined by a crack group that begged off from that tournament – Bella Belen and Vanie Gandler of Capital1, Choco Mucho’s Eya Laure and Dawn Catindig, PLDT’s Dell Palomata, Akari’s Justine Jazareno and Fifi Sharma, and Creamline’s Jen Nierva and team captain Jia de Guzman.

Completing the Hanoi-bound crew under Japanese mentor Taka Minowa are Akari’s Mars Alba, Capital1’s Erika Santos and Galeries Tower’s Julia Coronel, Vangie Alinsug and France Ronquillo.

Only 14 of the 16 who made the trip will be fielded, with La Salle aces Angel Canino and Amie Provido surprisingly not in the mix for this leg.

For Alas, Hanoi is less about the SEA V.League crown and more about chemistry, combinations and composure – elements they will need in abundance in Aichi.

The Filipinas have been drawn into what could be the toughest group in the Asian Games, bracketed with defending champion and world powerhouse China and the tall, higher-ranked Kazakhstan in Pool B. A miracle will be needed to advance, but Minowa and his staff are banking on these high-level exposures to toughen up the squad.

First up is Vietnam today – tall, seasoned and buoyed by the home crowd – followed by Asian powerhouse Thailand tomorrow and Indonesia on Sunday to close Leg 1. Leg 2 follows on Aug. 7-9 in Chiang Mai, Thailand.