It’s going to be an uphill climb for Alas Pilipinas in the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.

Both the Philippine women’s and men’s indoor volleyball teams are in for a tough grind after landing in the “group of death” in their respective divisions during the drawing of lots staged by host Japan on Thursday.

Welcoming the return of the celebrated Alas Women in the Asiad are three-peat-seeking powerhouse China and Kazakhstan in Pool B.

The Filipinas will march back into the quadrennial continental multi-sports meet after their last appearance in the 2018 Jakarta edition.

Alas Women, composed of a mix of veterans and young bloods handled by Japanese coach Taka Minowa, will try to surpass the team’s eighth-place finish eight years ago in the competition that will run from 16 to 22 September.

Getting past the group stage will be a gargantuan task for Alas as China has won nine of the last 11 Asiad crowns.

In 2018, the then-Alyssa Valdez and Jaja Santiago-bannered Philippine squad was crushed by the Chinese, 25-15, 25-9, 25-7, in the knockout quarterfinal.

Alas’ last Asian Games meeting against the Kazakhs wasn’t pretty either.

Hoping for a much higher finish in the classification round, Alas was spoiled by Kazakhstan in a sorry five-setter, 11-25, 25-22, 15-25, 25-19, 14-16.

Alas would eventually fall to Indonesia in four sets in the battle for seventh.

Main setter Jia Morado-De Guzman and libero Dawn Macandili-Catindig are the only remnants of the 2018 Alas squad.

Also in the Alas pool for the Asian Games are Fifi Sharma, Gel Cayuna, Angel Canino, Amie Provido, Alleiah Malaluan, Jen Nierva, Del Palomata, Thea Gagate, Mars Alba, Justine Jazareno, Bella Belen, Vanie Gandler, Erika Santos, Eya Laure, Nina Ytang, Alyssa Solomon, Arah Panique, Shaira Jardio, Celine Marsh, Vange Alinsug and Shaina Nitura.

In Pool A of the women’s competition are Japan, Indonesia and Nepal; Group C is composed of Thailand, Chinese Taipei, Kyrgyzstan, and Mongolia while in Pool D are Vietnam, Korea, Hong Kong and Qatar.

Meanwhile, Alas Men’s campaign will also be a rough one after being bunched with 2022 silver medalist China, 2018 runner-up Korea and 2018 bronze medalist Chinese Taipei in Pool D.

The Angiolino Frigoni-mentored men’s team is making its second straight Asiad appearance after a 13th place finish in the pandemic-delayed Hangzhou edition three years ago.

Veterans Marck Espejo and Bryan Bagunas will once again banner Alas, which hopes to bring the momentum of its bronze medal finish in the Southeast Asian Games last year for a better showing.

Four-peat-seeking Iran is in Pool B with Indonesia, Thailand and Kyrgyzstan; in Pool A are last edition’s bronze medalist Japan, Pakistan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan while in Pool C are Qatar, India, Vietnam and Hong Kong.

The men’s competition will run from 27 September to 3 October.

As part of its preparations, Alas Men participated in the first leg of the SEA Volleyball Cup in Candon, Ilocos Sur and in the ongoing second stop in Jakarta.

The Alas Women, on the other hand, are set to join the SEA V Cup Week 1 in Ninh Binh, Vietnam and Week 2 in Chang Mai Thailand.