Carrying the hopes

Jia Morado-de Guzman will carry the hopes of this volleyball-loving nation anew as she banners the 14-woman Alas Pilipinas in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand that will fire off on 9 December.

The veteran setter, who is on her fourth stint in the biennial meet, will try to rally the squad to end a 20-year podium drought.

Akari playmaker Mars Alba joins De Guzman in orchestrating Alas’ offense while seasoned liberos Dawn Macandili-Catindig of Cignal and Akari’s Justine Jazareno anchor the team’s floor defense.

Also in the lineup of Brazilian head coach Jorge Souza de Brito are multi-awarded middle blockers Del Palomata of PLDT and Choco Mucho’s Maddie Madayag, alongside De La Salle University star Amie Provido.

Seasoned wingers led by Eya Laure and Cignal’s Vanie Gandler banner Alas’ wingers together with young and talented hitters in Bella Belen of Capital1, Alleiah Malaluan of PLDT, Alyssa Solomon of Osaka Marvelous, La Salle’s Angel Canino, and Adamson University’s Shaina Nitura.

Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) president Tony Boy Liao said De Brito has requested some changes in the roster pending the approval of the Philippine Olympic Committee.

Alas has reached the championship round of the AVC Nations Cup this year but bowed to three-peat champion Vietnam.

Named in the prestigious competition’s Mythical Team were De Guzman, Canino and Palomata.

The squad is also coming off back-to-back bronze medals in the two-leg SEA V.League.

Despite limited preparation time, Alas is expected to contend for a first SEA Games medal since winning bronze in the 2005 Manila edition.

Alas will open its Pool A campaign against defending champion Thailand on 11 December before clashing with Singapore the next day.

Meanwhile, Bryan Bagunas headlines a crack Alas Pilipinas men’s team, which is expected to go all the way since a runner-up finish in 2019.

The Philippine delegation flag-bearer, alongside tennis star Alex Eala, will march into battle with fellow long-time national squad partner Marck Espejo.

Alas men’s squad, which had an impressive debut run in the FIVB World Championship last September, held a training camp in Taiwan as part of its extensive preparation.

Also included in Italian head coach Angiolino Frigoni’s roster are top setter Owa Retamar, Leo Ordriales, Kim Malabunga, Buds Buddin, Louie Ramirez, Jade Disquitado, backup playmaker Eco Adajar, liberos Josh Ybanez and Vince Lorenzo, Lloyd Josafat, Rwenzmel Taguibolos and debuting Al-Bukharie Sali.

The squad will face Myanmar on 13 December before taking on Cambodia the next day. Alas will close the Pool B play against the reigning champion Indonesia on 16 December.