Alas Pilipinas Women will head into the 20th Asian Games with a different look than initially envisioned after injuries sidelined three important pieces of the national team’s plans.
Instead of spending the coming months building chemistry with its full roster, the coaching staff will now have to navigate preparations without Vanessa “Vanie” Gandler, Jennifer Nierva, and Shaina Nitura, each unavailable for different injury-related reasons.
The latest setback involves reigning 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference Most Valuable Player Vanie Gandler, who opted to step away from national team duties after an exhausting run of competition that culminated in the biggest individual honor of her career.
Rather than risk aggravating lingering physical issues, the former Cignal star chose recovery, prioritizing long-term health before returning to competition.
Alas Pilipinas will also miss one of its most dependable defensive anchors.
Veteran libero Jennifer Nierva has likewise been ruled out as she continues to recover from an injury, depriving the national team of one of its most experienced backcourt leaders entering continental competition.
The biggest blow, however, may be the loss of one of Philippine volleyball’s fastest-rising stars.
The Philippine Olympic Committee earlier confirmed that Shaina Nitura will miss the Asian Games after undergoing surgery to address an ankle injury.
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Initially named to the national team pool, the reigning UAAP Most Valuable Player instead begins a rehabilitation process expected to last around three months, delaying what could have been her biggest international tournament to date.
Nitura’s absence removes one of the country’s most explosive young scorers from the lineup and leaves Alas Pilipinas without a player many viewed as a cornerstone of its future.
The trio’s unavailability significantly alters the complexion of the squad as preparations continue under head coach Taka Minowa, who now faces the challenge of assembling a competitive lineup despite losing three players expected to play major roles.
While the setbacks are substantial, Alas Pilipinas will press on with the remaining members of its training pool as the national team continues preparations for the Asian Games, scheduled from Sept. 19 to Oct. 4 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
With less than three months before the continental showcase, the focus now shifts from assembling the strongest possible roster to ensuring the available group is ready to compete on Asia’s biggest stage.
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