Al-Bukharie Sali will be joining fellow UST Golden Spiker Josh Ybañez in Alas Pilipinas training ahead of the SEA Games.
UST Golden Spiker Al-Bukharie Sali will be joining the Alas Pilipinas training pool, as they prepare for the Southeast Asian Games this December.
Coach Odjie Mamon confirmed the development on Wednesday, after UST-Gameville beat defending champion Cignal Super Spikers in the Spikers' Turf Invitational Conference.
Sali, who hails from Tawi-Tawi, welcomed the opportunity to practice with the national team.
"Sobrang laking opportunity din. Sobrang saya ko kasi pinapangarap ko lang dati na makasama sa Alas," Sali told reporters. "Binibigay na rin. Unti-unting dumadating."
The opposite spiker fired 12 points in the four-set victory against Cignal.
Before that, he exploded for 28 points from 25 attacks, two blocks, and an ace in a five-set victory against the Alpha Insurance Protectors.
Mamon confirmed both Sali and star spiker Josh Ybañez, who is converted as a libero for Alas, will still play against powerhouse Criss Cross King Crunchers before focusing on the national team training.
Sali, who has been tapped for Alas training before, said he welcomed the opportunity to be on the court with the country's top players such as Criss Cross' Marck Espejo and Osaka Bluteon's Bryan Bagunas.
"Sobrang taas ng intensity sa training. Malaking bagay for me para preparation na rin for UAAP," he said.
(With reports from Jamie Velasco/One Sports Digital)