The Alas Pilipinas under-16 girls’ volleyball team features high school standouts from across the country as it seeks to showcase its young talent and gain international experience in the 2nd Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Asian Women’s U16 Volleyball Championship here.
Team captain Xyz Rayco of Saint Michael College of Caraga leads the squad composed of players from the University of Santo Tomas, Gracel Christian College Foundation Inc. in Taguig, Rafael B. Lacson Memorial High School in Talisay, Kibawe Bukidnon, Leyte National High School, Canossa Academy Lipa, and Sagay, Negros Occidental.
Head coach Edwin Leyva will steer the team alongside deputies Oliver Balse and Lerma Giron, with Karl Chan as team manager.
The lineup includes opposite spiker Merish Beltran (GCCF), outside hitters Kristel Mirasol (RBLMHS), Nadeth Herbon (LNHS), Princess Sajulga (Kibawe), and Kim Peralta (UST). Setters Resty Jane Olaguir (GCCF) and Mischa Ysabel Ambrocio (UST) will orchestrate the plays, while libero Frances Ramos (SMCC) anchors the floor defense. Middle blockers Cristina Gale (Sagay), Jhenica Sadia (GCCF), and Megan Hernandez (Canossa Lipa) complete the roster. The Philippines is grouped in Pool B with defending champion Japan, its first opponent on Saturday at 11 p.m. (Philippine time) at Princess Sumaya Hall.
Alas Pilipinas is also scheduled to face Iran but has already secured a 3-0 win after Saudi Arabia withdrew from the competition. Lebanon’s withdrawal from Pool A also gave host Jordan, Uzbekistan, and Hong Kong automatic wins.
China, the 2023 Asian U16 runner-up, headlines Pool C with Kazakhstan, Qatar, and South Korea, while Pool D is composed of Chinese Taipei, Thailand, Australia, and India.
The tournament will be held in two venues: the Prince Hamza Arena, which hosts Pool A and Pool C games, and Princess Sumaya Hall, where Pool B and Pool D matches take place.
The top two teams from the four groups advance to the knockout quarterfinals.