One of the biggest surprises in Alas Pilipinas Women’s final roster for the opening leg of the 2026 SEA V Cup was the omission of veteran libero Jennifer Nierva.
The multi-time UAAP Best Libero was named one of two reserve players after new head coach Taka Minowa finalized his 14-player lineup for the tournament in Hanoi, Vietnam, leaving Dawn Catindig and Justine Jazareno to take over libero duties in the team’s opening campaign under the Japanese mentor.
Nierva traveled with the national team as part of the 16-player pool, but tournament regulations only allow 14 active players, forcing the coaching staff to make two difficult decisions before the competition begins.
Also placed on the reserve list was National University outside hitter Celine Marsh, trimming the squad down to the official roster that will represent the Philippines in Leg 1.
With Nierva unavailable for active duty, Catindig and Jazareno will anchor the team’s floor defense as Alas Pilipinas faces a demanding schedule against Southeast Asia’s top volleyball nations.
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Leading Minowa’s first official roster are veteran setters Jia De Guzman of Creamline and Mars Alba of Akari, who will orchestrate the offense throughout the tournament.
The outside hitter rotation remains one of the deepest in the competition, featuring Bella Belen, Vanie Gandler, Eya Laure, and Vange Alinsug.
Capital1 standout Erika Santos is set to make her long-awaited national team debut after earning one of the opposite hitter spots alongside Alyssa Solomon.
The middle blocker unit is composed of Niña Ytang, Thea Gagate, Dell Palomata, and Fifi Sharma, giving the Philippines a versatile frontline capable of matching up against the region’s strongest attacks.
Despite missing the final active lineup, Nierva remains part of the delegation as a reserve and could still be activated in the succeeding leg should roster changes be made.
Alas Pilipinas opens the Taka Minowa era against host Vietnam on Friday before facing defending SEA V Cup champion Thailand on Saturday and Indonesia on Sunday in the opening leg of the regional tournament.
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