COACHING reinforcements came in just as key player withdrawals surfaced following Alas Pilipinas' first official meeting under new management.
PNVF president Tony Boy Liao confirmed to SPIN.ph on Wednesday the major changes following the national team pool’s gathering a day earlier.
New head coach Tai Bundit will be backed by a loaded staff that blends championship pedigree with rising tactical talents.
Leading the additions is Sherwin Meneses, Bundit’s former deputy at Creamline and now an eight-time PVL champion coach and Grand Slam winner.
Former national team mentor Shaq delos Santos also joins the staff, alongside onetime University of the Philippines shot-caller Benson Bocboc and current Adamson tactician JP Yude.
Cignal unclear
But while the sidelines gained firepower, the player pool absorbed notable hits.
The initial 27-player roster will temporarily shrink to 22 after five names begged off from national team duties for the meantime.
Among the most significant withdrawals are PVL MVPs Erika Santos and Vanie Gandler and UAAP MVP Shaina Nitura, with the latter two having already been part of previous Alas squads.
PLDT standouts Kianna Dy and Alleiah Malaluan also stepped back, with each player citing varying personal reasons for their withdrawals.
With the new-look setup now taking shape, attention turns to the 2026 AVC Women’s Cup set June 6 to 14 in Candon City, which will also serve as Bundit’s debut tournament as Alas head coach.
A series of intensive training camps up north are expected, as the Philippines looks to match or surpass last year’s silver medal finish in the event.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
