For interim head coach Shaq delos Santos, the biggest victory for the current version of Alas Pilipinas Women may have already happened long before the team steps onto the floor in Ilocos Sur.
With less than two weeks left before the 2026 AVC Women’s Volleyball Nations Cup, the national team continues to navigate roster adjustments, late call-ups, and unavailable players. But amid the uncertainty surrounding the buildup, Delos Santos has found reassurance in one thing: the players who stayed.
“ We invited lots of players and some of them had the personal decisions [to beg off], but we’re still so happy and lucky,” Delos Santos said during the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum on Tuesday.
“We have these players who are committed to representing our country.”
Instead of dwelling on the names no longer available for the tournament, Delos Santos has shifted the team’s identity toward willingness, sacrifice, and collective purpose.
The coach pointed to the presence of veterans and rising stars like Alyssa Valdez, Niña Ytang, Ces Molina, and Jovelyn Gonzaga as proof that the national team still carries both experience and hunger despite the changes around the roster.
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ALL SET, ALAS
Coach Shaq Delos Santos, Alyssa Valdez, Niña Ytang, Ces Molina, and Jovelyn Gonzaga share their thoughts and expectations at the PSA Forum before #AlasPilipinas begins its AVC Women’s Cup campaign in Candon. | via LJ Abadinas/One Sports#AVCWomensCup pic.twitter.com/ke4h94Nue2
— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) May 26, 2026
For Delos Santos, chemistry and commitment now matter just as much as talent.
“We’re focused on the idea that this team built and the players included will do their roles in not just working together but also in fighting for the Philippines.”
The current Alas pool features a blend of decorated veterans, PVL standouts, and younger collegiate stars, many of whom are getting their first extended exposure to the senior national team environment.
And while preparations may not have unfolded as smoothly as originally planned, the coaching staff believes the shared willingness to represent the country could become this team’s defining strength entering the regional tournament.
The 2026 AVC Women’s Volleyball Nations Cup begins on June 6 at the Candon City Arena, where Alas Pilipinas hopes to quickly come together despite the limited preparation time.
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