ALAS Pilipinas Women is going back to its roots.
With a new coach calling the shots and the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) now steering the national program, the country's original core is set to reunite for the Aichi-Nagoya 20th Asian Games slated from September 19 to October 4.
Former Akari head coach Taka Minowa has been appointed as the new Alas Women mentor, taking over a squad that will once again be built around many of the players who spearheaded the national team's resurgence over the last two years.
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SPIN.ph learned that the POC's newly formed national team management convened last week to wipe the slate clean following the upheaval brought about by the FIVB suspension of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF), opting instead to begin a fresh yet familiar chapter with a largely proven cast.
Bannering the 19-player pool is captain Jia de Guzman, who returns alongside Bella Belen, Eya Laure, Angel Canino, Alyssa Solomon, Vanie Gandler, Alleiah Malaluan, Arah Panique, Fifi Sharma, Thea Gagate, Amie Provido, Nina Ytang, Mars Alba, Justine Jazareno, and Jen Nierva.
The only fresh faces in the pool who have yet to represent any version of Alas Women are Erika Santos, Pangs Panaga, Gel Cayuna, and Shaira Jardio.
One notable absentee is UAAP Season 88 MVP Shaina Nitura, who was initially penciled into the pool before an ankle injury required surgery. Her projected three-month recovery timeline ruled her out of the Asian Games buildup.
The POC assumed control of the national volleyball program after the FIVB suspended the PNVF, with the country's Olympic body tasked to oversee and manage Philippine national teams for the Olympics, Asian Games, and Southeast Asian Games while the federation remains under suspension.
Time is also of the essence as the deadline for the submission of the final squads to the Aichi-Nagoya Organizing Committee on July 1.
The men's program, meanwhile, will retain much of the group that has represented the country in recent international tournaments, with Angiolino Frigoni remaining at the helm and already naming a 14-strong roster.
Included in the men's side are Bryan Bagunas, Marck Espejo, Lloyd Josafat, Jude Garcia, Michaelo Buddin, Leo Ordiales, Al Bukharie Sali, Rwenzmel Taguibolos, Ave Joshua Retamar, Josh Ybañez, Adrian Villados, Vince Patrick Lorenzo, Kristofer Rodge Alejos, and Trevor Torio.
The twin announcements signal the beginning of the POC's first major undertaking in volleyball, banking on continuity in personnel while introducing a new leadership group as the Philippines sets its sights on the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya.
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