ALYSSA Valdez’ long-awaited return to the national team is official.
The Creamline superstar headlines the 20-player Alas Pilipinas pool for the 2026 AVC Women’s Cup in Candon City from June 6-14, based on the list handed by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation to SPIN.ph on Tuesday.
And with Valdez back in the fold, another reunion from one of Philippine volleyball’s most memorable runs is set to take shape.
Also included in the pool are fellow 2019 Southeast Asian Games veterans Ces Molina and Jovelyn Gonzaga, joining forces with interim head coach Shaq Delos Santos, who previously handled that Philippine squad during that bittersweet fourth-place home campaign.
READ: Veteran winger Ara Galang gets Alas call-up for AVC Women' Cup
That core now finds itself together anew nearly seven years later, as Alas undergoes a major reset ahead of the AVC Women’s Cup following the withdrawals of several younger stars from the initial pool.
Further bolstering the attack line are the Farm Fresh duo of Trisha Tubu and Royse Tubino alongside Letran ace winger Vanessa Sarie.
The setter unit, sans former captain Jia de Guzman, will be handled by a blend of youth and experience led by three-time PVL Best Setter Kyle Negrito alongside former NCAA MVP and ZUS Coffee skipper Cloanne Mondonedo, Letran's Natalie Estreller and FEU's Tin Ubaldo.
At libero, Alas Women will lean on multi-awarded liberos in Creamline's Kyla Atienza, ZUS Coffee's Alyssa Eroa and Letran's Lara Mae Silva.
The middle blocker corps features one of the deepest position groups in the pool with decorated defenders in ZUS Coffee's Thea Gagate and UP's Nina Ytang up front with FEU's Jaz Ellarina, returning Alas Women ace Cla Loresco and Adamson's Third Tuddao.
"Medyo tight 'yung schedule but ang good thing din kasi, 'yung commitment ng bawat isa. Kahit sinuman 'yung team o mga players na nandiyan, ilalaban talaga 'yung Pilipinas," said Delos Santos.
Delos Santos was earlier confirmed by the PNVF as interim head coach while Thai tactician Tai Bundit continues recovering from the ankle injury he sustained in Thailand.
Alas Women is currently in the midst of its buildup for the AVC Women’s Cup, which also serves as part of the national team’s longer-term preparations for the SEA V.League and the 2029 FIVB Women’s Volleyball World Championship on home soil.
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