Expect a fighting and team-oriented Alas Pilpinas Men squad in the AVC Men’s Challenge Cup.
With an eclectic mix of college hotshots and Spikers' Turf mainstays, Alas Pilipinas Men is not backing down from any challenge.
The two-time UAAP Finals MVP Joshua Retamar makes sure of that.
The returning setter assures the newly-assembled squad will bring their A-game and will bank on playing as a team in the 2024 AVC Men’s Challenge Cup in Bahrain.
“Sa team po namin, maglalaro po kami ng maayos and ‘yung teamwork po namin ipapakita po namin,’ Retamar said.
Retamar also vows that the selected college standouts will perform to the best of their abilities in the 12-nation tournament come June 2-9.
“May mga collegiate players po [kami], magpeperform din po [sila] ng maayos,” he added
Those youngsters include Nico Almendras, Noel Kampton, Jade Disquitado, Retamar’s former National U teammate Rwenzmel Taguibolos, and two-time UAAP MVP Josh Ybañez, who will make his national team debut as the main libero alongside Cignal’s Vince Lorenzo.
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Furthermore, Owa shares his excitement in returning for the national team for the first time since suiting up in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.
“Sobrang excited po ako ngayon na babalik po ako ng national team and ‘yung mga kasama ko is malalakas po and kumpleto po ngayon,” Retamar spoke.
Despite having a limited time preparing, the three-time UAAP champion bears the challenges Alas Pilipinas will need to overcome and address in the tournament by looking in the bigger picture that is the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship which will be held in the country.
“Masusubukan ‘yung team namin ngayon kung anong mapapakita namin para sa preparation pa rin namin sa World Championships."