Problem solved

Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) president Tony Boy Liao will prioritize addressing the perennial problem of player availability and schedule conflicts that affect the performance of the Alas Pilipinas women’s national team in international competitions.

Liao will sit down with the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) management and its member clubs to align their calendars so members of the Alas pool can obtain their clearance to join training.

With an aligned calendar, the federation expects to set a good compromise with the PVL that will allow the national squad adequate buildup.

“We have to improve the system, especially with the women’s national team,” said Liao, who also serves as PVL chairman.

He and long-time sports league management partner PVL president Ricky Palou will plot a solution to the issue.

“Mr. Palou and I will talk. We have to iron out this issue with the club teams, especially with (Alas) training. Of course, we understand that these players are under contract with teams,” Liao said.

“So next year, at the start of the year, we'll sit down with the clubs and talk with them regarding their players that will be included in the pool.”

Two decades had already passed and the Alas women’s podium drought continued after it bombed out in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.

Inadequate training time and issues with player availability, especially those competing during the playoffs of the PVL Reinforced Conference, plagued Alas’ preparations.

Rooting from the PNVF’s former administration’s reneging on the initial alignment with the PVL with regard to the national team window and the league’s tournaments, Alas had a hard time preparing and building chemistry.

The Filipina spikers were swept by eventual 15-peat champion Thailand to open their campaign. Alas won over Singapore to end the group stage but suffered another heartbreak over Indonesia in the battle for bronze.

Aside from PVL and overseas-based players, PNVF is also looking at tapping talents from the grassroots to join the Alas pool.

“And also, we’re looking at our under-17, under-18. We'll try to make them maybe the future of Philippine volleyball. That’s our future senior team,” he said.

The PNVF will also continue getting players from the collegiate level.

“We're not only going to get players from the PVL but also recruit those from the universities,” he added.

De La Salle University’s Angel Canino and Amie Provido and Shaina Nitura of Adamson University are regular members of Alas Pilipinas.

“It will also not only be good for the national team but also good for their schools because their players will get international experience outside. So, when they get back, they’ll have better performance for their respective teams.”

Among the major tournaments Alas will participate in 2026 is the AVC Women’s Cup from 6 to 14 June in Candon, Ilocos Sur.