ALAS Pilipinas Women’s pool could soon reach a much healthier number after weeks of uncertainty and player withdrawals.
Should all invited players commit, the national team is expected to build a 24-player pool for the upcoming 2026 AVC Women’s Cup in Candon City, giving the coaching staff a significantly larger selection base heading into the June tournament.
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SPIN.ph learned that the projected pool composition spans both the college and professional ranks, with 12 players expected to come from the PVL, nine from the UAAP and three from the NCAA.
For now, however, names remain undisclosed.
PNVF president Tony Boy Liao sought to withhold the identities of the players while discussions and commitments continue behind the scenes.
Position-wise, the projected lineup also offers balance across all areas as the prospective pool, if all 24 prospects were to commit, is expected to include six outside hitters, three opposite hitters, seven middle blockers, four setters and four liberos.
More new names to join Alas practice
From the expanded 24-player list, 10 showed up in the first Alas Women practice on Monday, including five from the UAAP, three from the PVL and two from the NCAA.
Liao added that no less than six more players are expected to join the second practice on Wednesday, including two PVL mainstays and four UAAP champion teammates.
Another source added that a PVL team is to bring in six of its players to also train with Alas Women and be in consideration for the final roster. In that group are a few faces who are no strangers to national team play in their careers.
The numbers represent a much-needed boost for Alas Women after a chaotic buildup that saw multiple players from previous national team setups either decline invitations, withdraw or remain unavailable.
The national team has since undergone a massive reshuffling process ahead of the AVC Women’s Cup set from June 6 to 14 in Candon City.
With time still left before the tournament and more players expected to finalize their decisions, Alas Women may finally be inching toward roster stability.
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