Members of Alas Pilipinas Men will see early action in the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference but will be pulled out mid-tournament to focus on their SEA Games preparation in Thailand.
Members of Alas Pilipinas Men will have their 2025 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference campaign cut short as the country ramps up its preparations for the Southeast Asian Games.
The biennial joust is set from December 9 to 20 in Bangkok, Thailand.
Top national team players such as Cignal’s Owa Retamar, Lloyd Josafat, Vince Lorenzo, and Louie Ramirez, Criss Cross’ Marck Espejo, Kim Malabunga, and Eco Adajar, PGJC-Navy’s Jack Kalingking, and UST’s Josh Ybañez are expected to bolster their club teams when the Invitational Conference begins.
However, they will be pulled out at some point in the conference as part of the Alas build-up for the SEA Games, where the Philippines will compete in Pool B alongside Indonesia, Myanmar, and Cambodia.
Spikers’ Turf director Mozzy Ravena confirmed that the league is fully backing the national team’s campaign and will make the necessary adjustments to accommodate their preparation schedule.
“We're really in all-out support sa national team natin sa Spikers’ Turf,” Ravena told reporters during the league’s press conference on Monday, October 20.
“That's why we're allowing them to practice or to go to camps or kung ano man ‘yung plano ng national team. Even before November 15, they’re okay to go.”
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Teams affected by the mid-tournament pullout have been allowed to sign substitute players to complete their rosters once the national team members leave.
“Ang gagawin namin is ‘yung mga teams na may national team players, they are allowed to get more players in substitute doon sa mga maglalaro sa national team,” Ravena explained.
“It’s also up to them if they want to keep playing their national team players and until when.”
Ravena stressed that beyond the SEA Games, the move aims to expand the national team pipeline by giving more athletes competitive experience and exposure at the club level.
“We really want to develop all the players para eventually mas marami silang pagpipilian sa national team pool,” she said. “Kaya hindi rin namin puwedeng i-cut short ‘yung tournament para ‘yung iba mag-develop din.”
[ALSO READ: Lessons from the best: What Alas can learn from teams in FIVB Men's World Championship]
With momentum from the recent 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship, Alas Men are determined to mount a strong campaign in Bangkok with the hopes of bringing the country’s first-ever men’s volleyball gold medal in the SEA Games.
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Kiko Demigillo’s journey in sports storytelling began with a deep passion for games and athletes, which eventually grew into a full-fledged career.
Now a dedicated sportswriter, Kiko covers a wide range of beats for One Sports, including the PVL, UAAP, PBA, and various international tournaments.