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Tag: FIVB Volleyball Girls’ U17 World Championship

  • Alas Girls keep knockout hopes alive with sweep of Tunisia in FIVB U17 Worlds 

    Alas Girls keep knockout hopes alive with sweep of Tunisia in FIVB U17 Worlds 

    Alas Pilipinas Girls are beginning to look more comfortable on the biggest stage.

     

    With Xyz Ellen Rayco rediscovering her attacking rhythm and Resty Jane Olaguir settling into her role as playmaker, the Philippines moved one step closer to the Round of 16 of the FIVB Volleyball Girls U17 World Championship after sweeping Tunisia, 27-25, 25-19, 25-16, on Saturday at Liceo Particular Mixto San Felipe.

     

    The victory improved Alas Pilipinas to 2-1 in Pool B, putting the Philippines in second place behind unbeaten China and keeping its knockout-stage hopes firmly in its hands.

     

    More importantly, the win showed how quickly the young Filipinas are building chemistry when the pressure rises.

     

    Rayco and Olaguir were among the key players who helped the Philippines earn its place in the world championship after their campaign in the Asian Women’s U16 Championship in Jordan last year.

     

    Against Tunisia, that familiarity once again became an advantage.

     

    With Olaguir providing the sets, Rayco found the confidence and openings to attack more freely, producing 13 points on 12 attacks and a block.

     

    “It feels different when she sets me the ball. It feels like I can really kill it,” Rayco said. “Of course, I’ll work hard to be able to play my best whoever I share the court with.”

     

    Rayco’s impact was especially evident in a tense opening set. The 16-year-old delivered two of the Philippines’ final three points to help Alas survive Tunisia and take the early lead.

     

    The performance also represented a personal bounce-back for Rayco, who admitted she had not been satisfied with her first two matches.

     

    “I’m happy because everyone contributed. I’m also happy with my game because I was able to show how I really play. I’m satisfied even though I made mistakes because I was able to bounce back and show who I am as a player,” Rayco said.

     

    “The past two days, I didn’t feel like I was playing the right way. I felt like I played poorly. My teammates said it was fine, but I wasn’t satisfied, so today I really wanted to bounce back. I’ll keep this going.”

     

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    Olaguir, meanwhile, adjusted on the fly after being unexpectedly called upon to help run the offense alongside Irish Mahinay.

     

    The Ateneo setter eventually found her rhythm and helped Alas Pilipinas establish the attacking flow that allowed Rayco and the rest of the hitters to flourish.

     

    “I’m happy I got in and contributed. I think I’m slowly getting back to the way I really play,” Olaguir said.

     

    “There are still a lot of things I need to work on. I hope this continues and that I don’t let my emotions get the better of me.”

     

    While Rayco and Olaguir provided the spark, Caera Celis once again delivered the most consistent scoring output.

     

    Celis led Alas Pilipinas for the third consecutive match, finishing with 15 points on 13 attacks and two blocks.

     

    Sharina Rhyza Lleses added 10 points, all through attacks, as the Philippines continued its impressive campaign against higher-ranked opposition.

     

    Ranked No. 25 in the world, Alas Pilipinas has already knocked off No. 8 Mexico and No. 20 Tunisia in consecutive matches, proving that the young Filipinas are capable of competing well beyond their ranking.

     

    The Philippines now gets a short break before returning to action Monday against world No. 6 Peru.

     

    Alas Pilipinas will then close out pool play Tuesday against No. 12 Venezuela.

     

    With a 2-1 record already in hand, the Filipinas are within touching distance of the knockout stage.

     

    And if their latest performance is any indication, the Philippines is entering the most important part of the tournament with its confidence — and chemistry — growing at exactly the right time.

     

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  • Alas Pilipinas Girls stumble against defending champion China in U17 World Championship debut

    Alas Pilipinas Girls stumble against defending champion China in U17 World Championship debut

    Alas Pilipinas Girls received a tough welcome in their first-ever match at the 2026 FIVB Volleyball Girls’ U17 World Championship after defending champion China imposed its class in a straight-set victory on Friday in San Felipe, Chile.


    China opened its title defense with a commanding 25-18, 25-15, 25-13 victory in Pool B to improve to a 1-0 record, while the young Filipinas dropped their tournament opener.

     

    Despite facing one of the world’s strongest youth volleyball programs, the Philippines showed flashes of promise behind the offensive efforts of Caera Celis, who finished with a team-high 13 points built on 12 attacks and one ace.

     

    The Filipinas displayed their best stretch of volleyball midway through the second set wherein Celis delivered a kill before Jhaynna Bulandres fired an ace to give Alas an 8-7 lead, briefly putting the defending champions on the back foot. 

     

    China, however, quickly regained control and turned a close contest into a 21-15 advantage through its superior net defense and consistent attack.

     

    Alas refused to go away quietly as the Filipinas answered with five consecutive points, fueled by timely attacks from Celis and back-to-back service aces from Bulandres, but China responded immediately to close out the second frame and move within a set of victory.

     

    The reigning world champions left little doubt in the third set, racing to a 20-9 lead before completing the sweep to begin their campaign on a winning note.

     

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    Aside from Celis, Xyz Rayco contributed seven points, while Bulandres added five. Princess Khaira Manzano and Madele Gale chipped in four markers each for the Philippine side.

     

    China leaned on a balanced attack led by Chen Ruihan, who scored 12 points on 10 attacks and two blocks. Ren Sichen added 11 markers, while Zhao Yuhan and Zhang Yijia finished with nine points apiece.

     

    There is still plenty to play for in Pool B despite the opening setback. Under the tournament format, all six teams play a single round-robin, with the top four advancing, giving Alas Pilipinas opportunities to recover over its remaining preliminary matches.

     

    The young Filipinas will have little time to dwell on the loss as they return to action against Mexico on Saturday morning (Philippine time), looking to secure their first victory in the prestigious youth world championship. 

     

    Mexico joins the Philippines in a challenging Pool B that also features China, Peru, Venezuela, and Tunisia.

     

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  • Alas Pilipinas Girls open historic FIVB U17 World Championship bid against China 

    Alas Pilipinas Girls open historic FIVB U17 World Championship bid against China 

    After securing a historic berth through the Asian Volleyball Confederation Women’s U16 Championship, the Philippine squad departed from Sydney for Santiago, Chile, where it will make its long-awaited debut in the FIVB Volleyball Girls U17 World Championship from August 6 to 16.


    Their first assignment, however, leaves little room for easing into the tournament. The Alas Girls will open their Pool B campaign against defending champion China on Thursday, August 6, at 8:00 a.m. (Philippine time), before taking on Mexico, Tunisia, Peru, and Venezuela in one of the tournament’s most competitive groups.

     

    For University of Santo Tomas standout Megan Yesha Hernandez, the opportunity to compete against the world’s best makes every sacrifice worthwhile.

     

    “Kahit sobra na yung pagod, mayroong kakalabasan na maganda. Kahit pagod na pagod, sulit pa rin yun kasi malaki naman po yung makukuha naming blessings,” Hernandez said.

     

    Despite facing volleyball nations with far more international experience, the young Filipinas are approaching the tournament with confidence, believing that preparation and teamwork can bridge the gap.

     

    “Pare-parehas lang po kami nagte-training at magkaka-age lang kami, so dapat huwag kami matakot at ipakita lang namin kung ano pong meron sa team,” she said.

     

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    Assistant coach Oliver Balse echoed that belief, saying the team’s technical ability gives it a chance to compete, even against opponents with a physical advantage.

     

    “Sa age-group, kahit ibang lahi, pare-pareho pa. Merong taller players of course, but skills makakatapat tayo sa kanila,” Balse said.

     

    The Philippines enters the tournament with growing confidence after a remarkable campaign in the AVC Women’s U16 Championship in Amman last November, where victories over Iran, Hong Kong, and Japan propelled the country to No. 25 in the FIVB world rankings.

     

    Setter Resty Jane Olaguir of Ateneo hopes the team can continue that upward trajectory on the sport’s biggest youth stage.

     

    “Gagawin namin ang best namin para maitaas po yung place natin sa FIVB world rankings,” Olaguir said.

     

    The 24-team tournament is divided into four pools. Host Chile headlines Pool A, while Pool C features Argentina, Brazil, Croatia, Spain, Japan, and Poland. Pool D consists of Italy, South Korea, Algeria, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and Chinese Taipei.

     

    Regardless of the results, the tournament represents a landmark moment for Philippine volleyball. As the country will compete in the FIVB Volleyball Girls U17 World Championship for the first time, giving a new generation of Filipina athletes the opportunity to measure themselves against the world’s elite.

     

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  • Alas Pilipinas Girls count on chemistry as they head to FIVB U17 World Championship 

    Alas Pilipinas Girls count on chemistry as they head to FIVB U17 World Championship 

    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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  • Alas Pilipinas Girls eye breakthrough at FIVB U17 World Championship 

    Alas Pilipinas Girls eye breakthrough at FIVB U17 World Championship 

    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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    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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