Alas Pilipinas head coach Jorge de Brito explained as to why Bella Belen, Angel Canino, Shaina Nitura, and Alyssa Solomon were left out of the Alas Pilipinas roster for the 2025 VTV Cup.
Alas Pilipinas head coach Jorge Souza de Brito clarified the absence of some of the country’s top young stars from the national team roster for the upcoming 2025 VTV Cup.
After a fruitful AVC Nations Cup, Alas Pilipinas will be without Angel Canino, Alyssa Solomon, Shaina Nitura, and PVL no. 1 pick Bella Belen as the national team returns to Vietnam later this month.
According to De Brito, the decision was made to allow the athletes a much-needed break following their grueling collegiate and national team commitments.
“After the UAAP, all of them joined straight to train in the national team,” De Brito told One Sports. “So for sure, they need a break. They went straight from training to the Finals.”
“It’s our plan to keep them safe and also have them ready for the next competition—we still have the SEA V.League,” he added.
The four UAAP stars were crucial pieces in Alas Women's silver-medal finish in the 2025 AVC Nations Cup, with Canino even taking home the Best Outside Hitter plum.
[ALSO READ: Angel Canino, Bella Belen among Alas Pilipinas' AVC standouts per Vietnam coach]
The Brazilian tactician mentioned that the rest is strategic, emphasizing that the goal is to preserve the health and peak form of these players for tougher international battles ahead.
“I also want them ready to play against the Dominican Republic here. So, we need the best players in the best position and best condition. We’re going to prepare all of them and give every player a chance to play,” said De Brito.
The Dominican Republic is ranked no. 9 in the world, and the upcoming friendly against Alas Pilipinas in August will serve as part of the former's preparations for the FIVB Women’s World Championship in Thailand.
[ALSO READ: Jia De Guzman foresees tougher road for Alas Pilipinas after historic silver medal in AVC Nations Cup]
Despite their absence from the VTV Cup, Belen, Canino, Solomon, and Nitura remain key figures in the national team pool and are expected to suit up in future tournaments.
Meanwhile, the VTV Cup will provide another opportunity for rotation and development, as Alas Women will still field a star-studded lineup bannered by Brooke Van Sickle, MJ Phillips, Tia Andaya, and Maddie Madayag as they continue their busy international calendar.