Solomon, Gagate, Ytang banner Alas women in SEA V Cup Leg 1

MANILA, Philippines — Alyssa Solomon, Thea Gagate and Niña Ytang have shown they’re not backing down from any challenge just to carry the country’s flag.

And the troika — remnants of the national team that saw action in the AVC Women’s Cup in Candon City, Ilocos Sur more than a month ago — will wear that Philippine colors again when Alas clash with host Vietnam in Friday’s start of the SEA V Cup Leg 1 in Hanoi.

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 Jia de Guzman are returning to Alas after backing out from joining the Candon squad.

Also part of the team are Akari’s Mars Alba, Capital1’s Erika Santos, Galeries Tower’s Lams Lamina, Vangie Alinsug and Celine Marsh.

Surprisingly absent on this one were La Salle’s Angel Canino and Amie Provido.

Alas tackles Asian powerhouse Thailand on Saturday and Indonesia on Sunday.

Only 14 of the 16 who travelled to the Vietnamese capital would get to plunge into action.

The Filipinas, mentored by Japanese Taka Minowa, is also penned to battle in Leg 2 slated August 7-9 in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Alas is using these trips to prepare for this September’s Asian Games in Aichi, Japan.