UAAP schools will have the sole discretion on whether it will lend its players to Alas Pilipinas during the course of Season 87.
League executive director Rebo Saguisag made it clear that the UAAP will not intervene nor outright restrict any of its players from partaking in national team activities even during an ongoing season.
Apart from the league’s commitment to supporting Philippine volleyball, it also highlighted how the teams and student-athletes’ discretions on such matters are of utmost priority.
“The UAAP does not impose any rule (for national team players). At the end of the day, the schools will have a say and, of course, the individual student-athlete also has a say,” Saguisag said.
“From the UAAP’s standpoint, of course, it’s our reason for being. What sets volleyball apart (in this context) is that the UAAP calendar is kind of aligned with the FIVB calendar, so very few ang conflict.”
The only limitation in place is that teams won’t be allowed to insert midseason roster replacements should they decide to lend its players to the national team.
“It’s their call. As for replacements, wala na. After the eligibility reports are submitted, that’s it. It’s the call of the coaches, the schools, and the individual student-athletes,” Saguisag said.
Busy calendar for Alas Pilipinas
Alas Men will soon embark on a series of overseas training camps in Japan, Portugal, Spain, and Italy in preparation for the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship hosted by the Philippines in September.
Buds Buddin, Jade Disquitado, Rwenzmel Taguibolos, and Leo Ordiales of reining titlist National U are also national team players alongside back-to-back MVP Josh Ybañez of University of Santo Tomas.
The women’s team will also begin preparing for multiple regional competitions such as the AVC Challenge Cup, Southeast Asian (SEA) V.League, and the year-ending 33rd SEA Games with a European training camp by April once the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference ends.
The defending champion Lady Bulldogs count three of its players in the Alas Women pool in two-time MVP Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon, and Arah Panique, while La Salle skipper Angel Canino is also on the list.
By that time, the UAAP volleyball tournaments would have reached the tail-end of second round of prelims before beginning Final Four hostilities.
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