Before the first serve is even played, Alas Pilipinas Girls already face their first major test.
It won’t come against volleyball powerhouse China or any of the world’s best young teams.
Instead, it begins with a demanding 32-hour journey from Manila to Chile as the Filipinas travel halfway around the globe for the 2026 FIVB Volleyball Girls’ U17 World Championship.
The lengthy trip presents an early challenge in managing fatigue, adjusting to a new time zone, and recovering quickly before the tournament opens on August 6.
Yet for head coach Edwin Leyva, the long hours in transit offer something just as valuable as recovery—time together.
“Hopefully with the long flight medyo makabawi-bawi sa bonding yung players,” Leyva said. “We didn’t have a lot of time to prepare for this, but we did our best in the short time we had, and I believe in this team. We have good players, and we are confident we can do better than our last tournament.”
Leading the Philippine delegation are University of Santo Tomas standout Megan Yesha Hernandez, National University’s Xyz Ellen Rayco, King’s Montessori School’s Sharina Rhyza Lleses, Bacolod Tay Tung’s Cristina Madela Gale, and Caera Celis of St. John’s Institute Bacolod City.
The roster reflects the country’s brightest young volleyball talents drawn from some of the nation’s top high school programs.
Joining them are Ateneo standouts Resty Jane Olaguir and Jhenica Sadia, UST’s Taj Arkhea Teves, Nadeth Faye Herbon of Leyte National High School, and Jello Andrea Mauricio of San Felipe Neri Catholic School.
National University also contributes Jhaynna Love Bulandres, Irish May Mahinay, Princess Khaira Manzano, and Frances Dianne Ramos, giving the squad a strong core heading into the biggest tournament of their young careers.
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The Philippines earned its place in the 24-team world championship after finishing fifth in the AVC U16 Women’s Championship under Leyva, securing one of Asia’s qualifying spots.
Now, the Filipinas will test themselves against some of the strongest youth programs in international volleyball.
Ranked No. 25 in the world, Alas Pilipinas was drawn into a difficult Pool B alongside world No. 1 China, Mexico, Peru, Tunisia, and Venezuela.
Host Chile headlines Pool A together with Czechia, Egypt, Thailand, Türkiye, and the United States.
World No. 2 Japan leads Pool C featuring Argentina, Brazil, Croatia, Spain, and Poland, while third-ranked Italy anchors Pool D with Korea, Algeria, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and Chinese Taipei.
Despite the daunting field, Leyva remains optimistic about what his team can accomplish and hopes Filipinos back home will rally behind the young squad.
“We hope the country would support us, pray for us,” Leyva said. “Kami naman we’ll give our best and put up a good fight for the country.”
The road to the world stage has already required one marathon journey.
The next challenge begins once Alas Pilipinas Girls finally steps onto the court in Chile.
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