THE waiting game over the composition of Alas Pilipinas for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games may finally be nearing its end.
Neither Alas Women coach Taka Minowa nor Alas Men mentor Angiolino Frigoni made any confirmation to date, but the names submitted by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) on Monday offered the strongest indication yet of the players headed to Japan.
READ: Eala, Yulo, Obiena banner 464-strong PH delegation to Asian Games
For the women, the team will be led by captain Jia de Guzman, who anchors a roster blending the battle-tested core of the national program with some of Philippine volleyball's brightest young stars.
De Guzman is joined by Mars Alba, Bella Belen, Angel Canino, Dawn Macandili-Catindig, Thea Gagate, Justine Jazareno, Eya Laure, Dell Palomata, Amie Provido, Erika Santos and Alyssa Solomon in the POC-submitted lineup.
It is a group built around continuity and youth, with De Guzman once again taking charge of a team that will be thrown immediately into the fire. Alas Women is set to face nine-time Asian Games champion China and Kazakhstan in the group stage, with the Philippines returning to the continental showpiece for the first time since the 2018 edition.
On the men's side, however, the biggest storyline is the apparent reunion of Philippine volleyball's longtime one-two punch.
Bryan Bagunas and Marck Espejo are set to return together for Alas Pilipinas, bringing back the pairing that has long carried the country's biggest hopes on the international stage.
They are joined by Jude Garcia, Buds Buddin, Lloyd Josafat, Josh Magalaman, Lirick Mendoza, Leo Ordiales, Peng Taguibolos, Adrian Villados, Greg Ancheta, and Josh Ybañez, with the final POC-submitted roster also featuring the remaining members of Frigoni's 12.
The Bagunas-Espejo reunion gives Alas Men a familiar offensive centerpiece as it takes on another unforgiving assignment. Alas Men drew reigning Asian Games silver medalist China, Korea, and Chinese-Taipei in a loaded pool for the tournament.
The women's competition runs from September 16 to 22, followed by the men's tournament from September 27 to October 3.
In beach volleyball, Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons lead Alas Pilipinas Women alongside Sofia Pagara and Khylem Progella.
For the men, Ran Abdilla, James Buytrago, Lerry Francisco, and Ronniel Rosales make up the Philippine contingent set to take the sands from September 20 to October 3,
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