THERE'S another twist to the perplexing saga behind the formation of the Alas Pilipinas roster for the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Thailand this December.
First, the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) released a 20-player pool in late October. It was a list PVL president Ricky Palou subsequently countered by saying that no final roster had been set due to several changes in recent weeks.
But newly-elected PNVF president Tony Boy Liao has now revealed that a final 14-woman lineup had already been submitted to tournament organizers as early as September.
READ: Tats Suzara out of PNVF as PVL's Tony Boy Liao elected new president
“Ang Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee, may deadline ‘yan to submit ‘yung entry by name. First is entry by number and then entry by name. ‘Yung deadline nun was last September,” Liao told select reporters on Friday evening shortly after his election as federation chief.
“Nagpadala na sila ng 14 names. Meron nang 14 names. I have a copy. Ayaw ko ipakita sa inyo. Alam ko na kung sino ‘yung maglalaro du’n, so alam nila kung sino ‘yung labing-apat, so bakit niyo pipiliting mag-ensayo lahat?”
The previous PNVF administration, led by ousted president Ramon “Tats” Suzara, earlier explained that the expanded player pool was created as a contingency measure in case of injuries.
Is that the final lineup for Alas?
What has now deepened the confusion is Liao’s assertion that tournament rules strictly prohibit roster changes, unless injury-related, after the September deadline, with substitutions only allowed during the General Technical Meeting at the event proper.
Liao blasted the former administration for releasing a 20-player pool despite having already submitted the final 14, calling it a disservice to the Philippine volleyball community.
“Kung hindi injured, hindi mo puwedeng palitan, kaya hindi ko nga malaman bakit maglalabas pa sila [ng pool]. Niloloko nila ‘yung tao,” the incoming PNVF head honcho said.
“Tapos kapag hindi nakapag-training, kasalanan ng PVL na hindi nila ni-release ‘yung players? [...] Kapag ganyan may mga reklamo, show them the real facts na ito ‘yung sinubmit namin. Baka pwedeng ito ‘yung ibigay niyo sa’min para makapag-ensayo.”
From the few details made known, two-time PVL MVP Brooke Van Sickle is reportedly included in the 14-woman lineup despite emerging eligibility issues tied to her affiliation with USA Volleyball.
And among the Alas players already training with the national team in Jia de Guzman, Eya Laure, Shaina Nitura, Angel Canino, Vanie Gandler, Dawn Catindig, Dell Palomata, Alleiah Malaluan, Leila Cruz, and Bella Belen, Liao said only around six of them are included in the submitted 14-woman roster.
Moving forward, the newly-elected PNVF board plans to convene with Suzara’s camp to determine who will oversee the Alas programs for the SEA Games, as Liao’s presidency officially begins on January 1, 2026.
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