The road to contention begins with one of the toughest opening weeks imaginable for Alas Pilipinas Girls.
Instead of easing into the 2026 AVC Women’s U18 Volleyball Championship, the Filipinas will immediately measure themselves against some of Asia’s most established youth volleyball programs, opening their campaign in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand with consecutive matches against regional heavyweights.
The Philippines starts its Pool C campaign against reigning 2025 Asian Youth U19 champion Iran on Wednesday before facing perennial powerhouse Japan the following day. Indonesia completes the Filipinas’ group-stage schedule on Friday.
While the draw leaves little room for error, head coach Karl Dimaculangan sees the tournament as more than just a race for results. For the national mentor, it is another opportunity for a young core to continue growing on one of the biggest stages in Asian volleyball.
“We have talented players, they just need to improve their level of play,” said Dimaculangan, who will be joined on the coaching staff by Keenan Quitco and Marco Maclang.
Leading the charge is Xyz Rayco, one of the country’s brightest youth prospects after helping steer the Philippines to a historic qualification for the 2026 FIVB Volleyball Girls’ U17 World Championship in Santiago, Chile last year.
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She will once again be counted on to anchor the team’s attack alongside Adamson standout Ella Gonzalvo as Alas looks to carry over the confidence gained from its recent bronze-medal finish in the Princess Cup, where host Thailand emerged as champion.
Completing the Philippine roster are Sharina Lleses, Frances Ramos, Micaella Gould, May Mahinay, Venus De Guia, Bubay Belen, Ysabelle Cruz, Slash Obera, Ysabelle Tuballas, Princess Manzano, Jhaynna Bulandres, and Adelaine Agustin.
The squad also reflects the country’s growing youth pipeline, with reigning 2026 Palarong Pambansa champion National University providing the bulk of the roster. Lleses stands as the lone representative from King’s Montessori of Quezon City.
Elsewhere in the tournament, host Thailand headlines Pool A together with Uzbekistan, Australia, and Mongolia. China leads Pool B alongside Kazakhstan, Hong Kong, and Kyrgyzstan, while Pool D features Chinese Taipei, Korea, India, and Princess Cup runner-up Vietnam.
For Alas Pilipinas Girls, the challenge begins immediately—but so does the chance to prove that the country’s next generation belongs among Asia’s rising volleyball powers.
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