A powerhouse mix of UAAP stars and seasoned PVL veterans will banner Alas Pilipinas Women as the team heads to the 2025 SEA Games with its strongest roster in decades.
Alas Pilipinas Women will field in youth, pedigree, and international experience as they finalize the 14-woman roster for the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.
Capital1’s Bella Belen and DLSU’s Angel Canino headline a group that brings together the country’s brightest talents from both the PVL and UAAP.
The two join UAAP Rookie of the Year Shaina Nitura, middle blocker Amie Provido, and newly returned opposite hitter Alyssa Solomon, whose stint with Osaka in Japan’s SV.League has sharpened her game ahead of the biennial meet.
[ALSO READ: SEA Games: PNVF chief believes Alas teams have 'good chance' to get medals]
Anchoring the squad is the core responsible for the national team’s resurgence over the past year.
Veteran setter Jia De Guzman, libero Dawn Macandili-Catindig, middle blocker Dell Palomata, and Choco Mucho’s Maddie Madayag return after steering Alas to historic podium finishes in the AVC Nations Cup and SEA V.League.
Also listed in the Philippine Olympic Committee’s official delegation are outside hitters Vanie Gandler and Eya Laure, setter Mars Alba, libero Justine Jazareno, and winger Alleiah Malaluan, rounding out what is widely considered the strongest national lineup in decades.
[ALSO READ: Rising aces: A timeline of Alas Pilipinas Women’s accomplishments ahead of SEA Games 2025]
Absent from the POC’s SEA Games list are former La Salle standouts Fifi Sharma and Thea Gagate, Capital1 opposite Leila Cruz, and rising FEU wing spiker Cla Loresco, all of whom played multiple regional tournaments earlier this year.
Former NU stars Lams Lamina and Jen Nierva, as well as veterans Kat Tolentino, MJ Phillips, and Thang Ponce, likewise did not crack the final 14 after being included in the expanded pool.
Head coach Jorge de Brito leads the squad into a tournament where the Philippines has not reached the podium since Bacolod 2005, when the Filipinas last claimed bronze.
The drought extends even further in the gold-medal column as the country has not topped SEA Games women’s volleyball since 1993, while powerhouse Thailand has won 14 straight titles.
For four straight SEA Games, the Philippines fell short of the podium with fourth place finishes.
[ALSO READ: Jorge de Brito confident Alas Pilipinas Women can break SEA Games podium drought]
Alas Women will face host Thailand to open Group A on December 11 before battling Singapore on December 12.
A top-two finish will secure a berth in the semifinals and a shot at ending a 20-year medal drought.
The games will be livestreamed via One Sports YouTube and Pilipinas Live. These will also be aired on TV via One Sports and One Sports+.
[ALSO READ: SCHEDULE | Team Philippines competes at 33rd SEA Games in Thailand]
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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.