The countdown to the Asian Games has officially begun for Alas Pilipinas Women, and the national team is wasting no time building chemistry ahead of its biggest international test in Nagoya, Japan.
A 17 of the 22-player pool has started intensive training under Japanese head coach Taka Minowa, with a mix of established PVL standouts, young collegiate talents, and returning national team prospects forming the core of the squad.
Leading the early preparations are 17 players already present in camp, including Creamline’s Jia De Guzman and Jennifer Nierva, PLDT’s Dell Palomata, ZUS Coffee’s Thea Gagate, Akari’s Mars Alba and Justine Jazareno, and Capital1’s Bella Belen, Vanie Gandler, and Erika Santos.
The group also features Choco Mucho’s Dawn Catindig and Eya Laure, National University’s Arah Panique, Shaira Jardio, Celine Marsh, and Vange Alinsug, as well as free agents Alyssa Solomon and Niña Ytang, giving Minowa a wide range of experience and playing styles to evaluate.
More reinforcements are still expected to arrive. Akari’s Fifi Sharma, La Salle standouts Angel Canino and Amie Provido, and PLDT’s Alleiah Malaluan remain part of the pool, although Malaluan continues her recovery from a knee injury. Adamson rookie Shaina Nitura is also unavailable while recovering from surgery.
Meanwhile, Nxled setter Gel Cayuna will not join the national team program after deciding to step away from duties, according to Chameleons head coach Ettore Guidetti.
The team’s weekday sessions run from 12 noon to 3:00 PM as Minowa begins shaping the identity of a squad that hopes to make a strong impression in Nagoya.
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ALAS PILIPINAS CONTINUES TRAINING WITH NEW FACES!
OH: Belen, Laure, Gandler, Alinsug, Marsh
OPP: Solomon, Santos, Panique
MB: Ytang, Gagate, Palomata
L: Jardio, Catindig, Nierva
S: De Guzman, AlbaJAJA SANTIAGO ALSO PARTICIPATES IN CAMP!
| alaspilipinasvolley pic.twitter.com/wolzvA2ijX
— Torey Canino-Celis (@tj_canino) July 8, 2026
Training was initially held at Gameville in Mandaluyong City and MPire Center in Quezon City before the team transferred its camp to the Philippine Sports Commission’s PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
Adding a familiar presence to the training environment was former national team star Jaja Santiago, now known as Sachi. Santiago, the wife of coach Minowa, was spotted observing the sessions as she continues to support her husband’s coaching role.
The 6-foot-5 middle blocker, who represented the Philippines in the 2018 Asian Games and last played for the national team during the 2022 Southeast Asian Games, previously shared that one of her plans was to assist her husband before heading to the United States for the League One Volleyball season beginning in January.
Her visit comes as Alas Pilipinas prepares for a demanding stretch that will test both its depth and adaptability.
The Philippine Volleyball League has also reinforced its national team policy during this preparation period. Players officially included in the Philippine delegation for international competitions or those actively involved in official national team activities will not be permitted to play in PVL On Tour matches.
National team players may only see action in PVL events if they are not part of an official delegation and have no scheduled commitments with Alas Pilipinas.
Before turning their full attention to the Asian Games, the Filipinas will first face international competition in the Southeast Asian V.League.
Week 1 will take place in Ninh Binh, Vietnam from August 1 to 3, followed by Week 2 in Chiang Mai, Thailand from August 7 to 9.
Alas Pilipinas will shift its focus toward the Nagoya Asian Games, scheduled from September 19 to October 4, where the team hopes that months of preparation, system-building, and international exposure will translate into a competitive showing on the continental stage.
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