The Alas Pilipinas Girls will compete in the 2026 FIVB Volleyball Girls’ U17 World Championship from August 6 to 16 in Santiago, Chile, becoming the first Philippine volleyball team to qualify outright for an FIVB World Championship without hosting the event.
The Alas Pilipinas men competed in last year’s FIVB Men’s World Championship as hosts, while the women’s team is set to host in 2029.
The Philippines begins its Pool B campaign against defending champion China on August 6 before taking on Mexico on August 7, Tunisia on August 8, Peru on August 10, and Venezuela on August 11.
Much of the roster that secured the country’s historic qualification by finishing fifth in last year’s AVC U16 Women’s Volleyball Championship in Amman, Jordan remains intact.
U16 holdovers Nadeth Herbon, Resty Jane Olaguir, Megan Hernandez, Jhenica Sadia, Madele Gale, and Frances Ramos return alongside newcomers Caera Celis, Irish Mahinay, Jhaynna Bulandres, Sharina Lleses, Princess Khaira Manzano, Taj Arkhea Teves, and Andrea Mauricio.
Leading the group is National University Nazareth School standout Xyz Rayco, who emerged as the team’s leading scorer during its memorable campaign in Jordan.
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The grind continues for our
Alas Pilipinas U17 girls as they prepare for the FIVB U17 World Championship in
Peru!
They will open their campaign against
China on August 7.
| alaspilipinasvolley pic.twitter.com/pvaMNFgfkZ
— Torey Canino-Celis (@tj_canino) July 26, 2026
Heading into her first World Championship, the young hitter believes the team’s familiarity with one another will be one of its biggest strengths.
“It’s a big advantage that we’ll be representing the country together again. Because we already know each other’s game, that familiarity will really help us perform better as a team,” she said.
Rayco added that while the squad had only a limited preparation period, the players have continued to improve with every training session despite coming from different schools.
She also shared that the squad has made steady progress in training, with each player embracing their role. Although the team is still building chemistry after coming from different schools, she believes their teamwork has improved noticeably on and off the court.
“I believe we’re all ready to represent the Philippines at the World Championship,” the 15-year-old said.
Limited preparation has not changed the team’s mindset. Instead, Rayco and her squad view the tournament as a chance to show that their qualification was no fluke and that the Philippines can compete against the world’s best at the youth level.
Still, the team hopes to build on the confidence gained from its fifth-place finish in the AVC U16 Women’s Volleyball Championship and show that it belongs on the global stage.
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