Newly-elected PNVF president Tony Boy Liao mentioned a proposal to have a pool of young players form the core of the national volleyball team.
What if the Alas program starts building its core from young players?
Anthony "Tony Boy" Liao spoke of the proposal after his election as president of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF).
"Another plan that's being brought up by some of the club teams, para wala nang problema with PVL, PNVF, is why don't you form a pool of young players? Parang under-16, under-18," he recounted to reporters early Saturday after his election.
"'Yan ngayon ang ite-training mo na magkakasama, para pagdating sa PVL, hindi na hihiramin 'yung national team players."
"'Yan yung one of the plans, gagawa ng pool na puro bata."
Young volleyball players have shown promise, with the Alas Pilipinas Girls qualifying for the 2026 FIVB U17 World Championship.
[ALSO READ: Alas Pilipinas punch historic ticket to 2026 FIVB U17 World Championship after stunning Thailand]
Currently, the senior Alas Pilipinas program is formed by a core of select players at the pro level, supported by promising stars from the collegiate ranks.
This proved fruitful for both Alas Women and Alas Men during the FIVB national team window, finding success at the SEA V.League and the FIVB Men's World Championship.
Training time for the 33rd Southeast Asian Games though, is proving to be a struggle, since it falls after the national team window.
The PVL Reinforced Conference ends on November 30, while the first Alas Pilipinas Women match will be on December 11.
[ALSO READ: Alas lineup for SEA Games already submitted in September, says new PNVF president Liao]
However, Liao promises that they will continue the Alas program.
"Whatever is good for volleyball, we will push through. We will continue with whatever is good for volleyball," he said.
@onesportsphl ‘WHATEVER IS GOOD FOR VOLLEYBALL, WE WILL PUSH THROUGH.’ 🏐🇵🇭 Newly elected PNVF president Anthony “Tonyboy” Liao discusses continuing the Alas Pilipinas program for the overall growth of Philippine volleyball, the PVL’s schedule and the national team calendar, and plans for a grassroots program to develop national team players from a young age. | via Jamie Velasco/One Sports #OSOnTheSpot #AlasPilipinas #PNVF
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(With reports from Jamie Velasco/One Sports Digital)
Katrina Alba is a sports journalist and producer, notably with SportsCenter Philippines before taking on her current role at One Sports.
She primarily writes about basketball and volleyball, with experience covering the SEA Games, Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. Outside of work, her hobbies include running, swimming, pickleball, yoga, arnis, and krav maga.