Intriguing Alas mix formed for AVC Cup

MANILA, Philippines — The Alas Pilipinas team to the AVC Women’s Volleyball Cup set June 6 to 14 in Candon, Ilocos Sur will have a combination of national team returnees, PVL players with limited international experience and college players out to prove their worth.

Battle-scarred Alyssa Valdez, Ces Molina, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Ara Galang, Tots Carlos, Royse Tubino and Alyssa Eroa are among the players who will be part of the 20-player pool for the eight-day event.

Thea Gagate, the lone remnant of the squad that finished fourth in the Thailand SEA Games last year, also made the list along with fellow PVL players Trisha Tubu, Kyla Atienza, Kyle Negrito and Cloanne Mondoñedo.

They will be joined by collegiate standouts Lhouriz Tuddao, Nina Ytang, Sheena Vanessa Sarie, Lara Mae Silva, Natalie Marie Estreller, Christine Ubaldo, Jazlyn Anne Ellarina and Clarisse Loresco.

Alas interim coach Shaq delos Santos said the list may still grow since they welcome whatever and whoever will help improve the team.

“Right now, the main goal is how to strengthen the team and I have faith we will deliver since I know that we have veterans who know how to play in international tournaments,” said Delos Santos during yesterday’s PSA Forum at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

The Filipinas, last year’s runners-up in this event, are bracketed in Pool A alongside Chinese Taipei, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Australia and Uzbekistan.

Pool B is composed of defending champion Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Iran, Indonesia, Hong Kong and Lebanon.