ALAS Pilipinas eyes a strong start in the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Women’s Volleyball Nations Cup, as it battles returning Mongolia on Saturday in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Jia de Guzman and Angel Canino lead the way, as the Philippines looks to improve on its bronze medal finish in the rebranded annual tournament.
READ: Nitura joins Belen, Canino in final Alas Pilipinas lineup for AVC
World No. 52 Alas also gets some added firepower with three-time UAAP MVP and consensus Premier Volleyball League top draft pick Bella Belen, alongside Adamson super rookie Shaina Nitura.
Japan V.League player de Guzman, adjudged Best Setter in last year’s AVC Women’s Challenge Cup when the Philippines earned its first medal in continental competition in 63 years, is back to orchestrate the plays for the nationals.
Focus will also be on Canino, last year’s Best Opposite Hitter awardee, who is now back to her natural position of outside hitter for the team fielded by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation headed by Ramon “Tats” Suzara.
Ever-reliable Eya Laure and Vanie Gandler also provide a boost even as Alas will miss the services of Sisi Rondina, who rejoined the Philippine national beach volleyball team earlier this year.
Cla Loresco makes her Alas debut, as she joins fellow opposite hitter Alyssa Solomon, while middle blockers Thea Gagate, Fifi Sharma, and Dell Palomata provide formidable net defense.
Julia Coronel, who has proven her worth with the Philippine team when Morado is overseas, is also back along with decorated liberos Dawn Macandili-Catindig and Jen Nierva.
The Philippines takes on Mongolia at 4 p.m.
Mongolia did not participate in last year’s event at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
Alas battles Indonesia on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. before getting a break on Monday.
The Filipinos then clash with Iran at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, New Zealand at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, and Kazakhstan at 11 a.m. on Thursday.
Three-peat seeking Vietnam is in the other pool with Australia, India, Chinese Taipei, and Hong Kong.
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