Young guns Bella Belen and Angel Canino, along with veteran setter Jia De Guzman, led the Alas Pilipinas Women’s pool named by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) for the coming Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.

As the temporary caretaker of the country’s volleyball program following the suspension of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF), the POC selected the top players from the professional and collegiate ranks to form a competitive team for the 20th Asiad running from 19 September to 4 October.

This will mark Alas’ return to the continental multi-sport meet since its last appearance back in the 2018 edition in Indonesia.

Joining the trio, which led Alas to copping silver in last year’s Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Women’s Volleyball Cup, on the POC’s wish list are Justine Jazareno, Jen Nierva, Dawn Macandili-Catindig, Eya Laure, Thea Gagate, Fifi Sharma, Vanie Gandler, Alleiah Malaluan, Amie Provido, Nina Ytang, Pangs Panaga, Erika Santos, Arah Panique, Mars Alba, Gel Cayuna, Shaira Jardio, Dell Palomata, Alyssa Solomon and Shaina Nitura.

Nitura is included in the list despite still recovering from an ankle injury.

The POC tapped Japanese mentor Taka Minowa as head coach, replacing Thai tactician Tai Bundit.

To ensure the availability of pro players for a tour of duty, the POC has also sought the full support of the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) through its president Ricky Palou and commissioner Sherwin Malonzo.

The PVL, together with its member clubs, has been loaning players for the national cause — both in indoor and beach volleyball — for over a decade and even tweaked its season calendar to give way for Alas’ international competitions.

Meanwhile, the POC retained Italian head coach Angiolino Frigoni to call the shots for Alas Men’s.

Long-time Alas members Bryan Bagunas and Marck Jesus Espejo banner the solid core of the squad that will march into a second straight Asiad appearance.

The team is mostly composed of the core of the Alas side that participated in the FIVB Men’s World Championship, which the country hosted in September last year.

Lloyd Josafat, Jude Garcia, Buds Buddin, Leo Ordiales, Al Bukharie Sali, Peng Taguibolos, Owa Retamar, Josh Ybañez, Adrian Villados, Vince Lorenzo, Kristofer Rodge Alejos and Trevor Valera make up the rest of the Alas roster.

According to the POC, the appointment of Minowa and Frigoni for the Asiad will take effect on 1 July and expire on 15 October.

The final roster list of the Alas squads is expected to be submitted to the Aichi-Nagoya Organizing Committee on or before the entry by names deadline on Wednesday.