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Tag: Nina Ytang

  • PVL and Alas stars bring volleyball flair to Star Magic All-Star Games 

    PVL and Alas stars bring volleyball flair to Star Magic All-Star Games 

    The Star Magic All-Star Games are adding even more firepower to this year’s festivities—and this time, some of the country’s top volleyball stars are stepping onto the entertainment stage.

     

    Professional standouts and collegiate stars will headline the women’s volleyball exhibition on August 23 at the Mall of Asia Arena, bringing together athletes and celebrities in one of the marquee events of the annual showcase.

     

    Leading the cast is multi-time PVL champion Risa Sato, who will reinforce the Lady Warriors after establishing herself as one of the league’s most accomplished middle blockers.

     

    Currently suiting up for the Akari Chargers, Sato brings an impressive résumé that includes 11 Premier Volleyball League championships and years of experience competing at the highest level of Philippine volleyball.

     

    Joining the opposing Lady Spikers is Alas Pilipinas Women’s standout Niña Ytang, who continues to cement her reputation as one of the country’s premier middle blockers.

     

    The former collegiate star enters the event as a four-time UAAP Best Middle Blocker and remains a key member of the national team program.

     

    The Lady Spikers will also receive a boost from veteran setter Jules Tolentino, who helped steer the now-defunct Petro Gazz franchise to the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference championship.

     

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    Familiar faces will also return to the annual spectacle.

     

    San Beda standout Erin Navarro is back for another appearance after participating in last year’s edition, while Adamson University’s Bella Sapienza is set to make her Star Magic All-Star Games debut.

     

    The Lady Spikers’ lineup is rounded out by Analain Salvador, Lella Ford, Fyang Smith, Vivoree, Magui Ford, Janah Zaplan, Ai dela Cruz, Isabel Laohoo, and Sophie Reyes.

     

    On the other side, Sato and the Lady Warriors will be joined by Reign Parani, Rans Rifol, Gillian Vicencio, Jas Dudley, Rain Celmar, Kolette Madelo, and Leona Andalio.

     

    With PVL champions, national team standouts, collegiate stars, and entertainment personalities sharing the same court, this year’s women’s volleyball match is shaping up to be one of the biggest attractions of the 2026 Star Magic All-Star Games.

     

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  • Niña Ytang grateful for Alas Pilipinas debut despite early AVC exit 

    Niña Ytang grateful for Alas Pilipinas debut despite early AVC exit 

    Niña Ytang chose to focus on the experience rather than the result after completing her first campaign with Alas Pilipinas in the AVC Women’s Nations Cup.


    Despite the Philippine women’s volleyball team’s disappointing finish in the continental tournament, the young middle blocker expressed gratitude for the opportunity to represent the country and play alongside some of the sport’s most accomplished veterans.

     

    Alas Pilipinas ended its campaign with a 21-25, 12-25, 21-25 loss to Iran in the battle for seventh place on Sunday at the Candon City Arena, ultimately finishing eighth out of 12 participating nations.

     

    The result marked the national team’s lowest placement in the tournament in three years, a significant drop from its recent podium finishes. 

     

    The Philippines captured the bronze medal in 2024 and advanced to the championship match in 2025 after placing seventh in 2023.

     

    This year, Alas Pilipinas fielded a different-looking roster after several members of the previous core were unavailable. 

     

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    Veterans Alyssa Valdez, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Ces Molina, and Ara Galang led the squad, but the Filipinas struggled to sustain momentum throughout the competition.

     

    The Philippines finished Pool A with a 2-3 record, suffering losses to eventual finalists South Korea and Chinese Taipei, as well as a five-set defeat against Australia.

     

    Still, Ytang viewed the tournament as a valuable learning experience.

     

    “I’m just very, very grateful for the experience that I am experiencing right now, with my ates, of course I will cherish these memories with them,” said Ytang.

     

    The University of the Philippines standout was among the bright spots for Alas Pilipinas, stepping into a starting middle blocker role and holding her own against some of Asia’s top teams.

     

    Ytang said representing the national team alongside players she had long admired made the experience especially meaningful.

     

    “It’s just a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me so it’s been my dream to play with them, so I’m very, very grateful for all the experiences that I have right now,” she said.

     

    While the campaign ended in disappointment, Ytang’s emergence provided a positive takeaway for a Philippine squad looking to regroup after falling short of its recent international standards.

     

    For the young middle blocker, the tournament served as both a learning opportunity and the realization of a longtime dream—one she hopes will be the first of many appearances in national team colors.

     

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  • Alas Pilipinas rookie Niña Ytang earns praise from South Korea captain after standout showing

    Alas Pilipinas rookie Niña Ytang earns praise from South Korea captain after standout showing

    Alas Pilipinas absorbed its second straight defeat in the 2026 Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Women’s Volleyball Cup after falling to continental powerhouse South Korea, 25-16, 25-18, 25-22, at the Candon City Arena on Tuesday, June 9.

     

    Despite the straight-sets result, the national team showed flashes of competitiveness—particularly in the third set—before ultimately succumbing to South Korea’s depth, discipline, and superior execution on both ends of the floor.

     

    For Alas Pilipinas, however, the match also served as another showcase of rising middle blocker Niña Ytang, who continued to build her reputation as one of the team’s most promising young standouts in her debut international campaign.

     

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    The former University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons star finished as the second-leading scorer for the Philippines with eight points, tallying seven attacks and one block. While the numbers may not fully capture her impact, Ytang’s presence at the net provided consistent resistance against South Korea’s high-powered offense and quick-tempo system.

    Her performance did not go unnoticed.

     

    South Korea captain Kang Sohwi singled out the young middle blocker when asked which Alas Pilipinas player stood out during the match, offering rare praise from one of Asia’s elite competitors.

     

    “Number 9, the middle blocker,” Sohwi said when asked which Alas Pilipinas player impressed her the most.

     

    For Ytang, the recognition from a top-tier international opponent served as validation of her rapid adjustment to the demands of international volleyball, though she remained grounded in her response.

    “I must be doing something right kaya siguro ganun. Pero for me naman I’m just doing my best, doing everything I can para sa bayan,” Ytang stated.

     

    Ytang has quietly emerged as one of the bright spots for Alas Pilipinas in the tournament, showcasing both offensive efficiency and defensive timing in the middle. In the team’s opening win over Uzbekistan, she delivered a strong debut performance with 12 points built on eight attacks and four kill blocks, immediately establishing herself as a reliable presence in the rotation.

     

    She followed that up with an even more dynamic outing against Australia, where she produced 13 points highlighted by nine attacks, three service aces, and a block, demonstrating her expanding skill set and growing confidence against higher-level competition.

     

    Across three matches, Ytang has shown steady improvement in adapting to international pace, with her ability to contribute in multiple facets of the game becoming a valuable asset for Alas Pilipinas as it continues its campaign in the AVC tournament.

     

    Her emergence has also drawn attention beyond the national team setup, particularly given the significant decision she made prior to the competition. Ytang opted to withdraw her application for the 2026 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Rookie Draft, choosing instead to commit fully to Alas Pilipinas Women and her development within the national team program.

     

    The decision underscored her long-term focus on international experience and national team duty, prioritizing exposure against elite Asian opposition over immediate professional league opportunities.

     

    While Alas Pilipinas continues to navigate a challenging tournament against some of Asia’s strongest programs, performances like Ytang’s offer a glimpse of a developing core that could anchor the national team in future international competitions.

     

    As the AVC Women’s Volleyball Cup progresses, the Philippines will look to regroup and build on its competitive moments, while Ytang’s steady rise remains one of the most encouraging storylines in the campaign.

     

     

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  • Niña Ytang is making the most of her Alas Pilipinas opportunity 

    Niña Ytang is making the most of her Alas Pilipinas opportunity 

    For Niña Ytang, the mission has been slightly different.

     

    The former University of the Philippines standout arrived at Alas Pilipinas not focused on individual numbers or instant recognition, but on learning everything she can from the veterans around her.

     

    That mindset has not stopped her from becoming one of the early bright spots for the national team in the 2026 AVC Women’s Volleyball Cup.

     

    While the spotlight has largely been on the established names guiding the program, Ytang has quietly carved out an important role for herself, providing energy, size, and consistency in the middle as the Philippines navigates a tournament with a relatively new-look roster.

     

    Her introduction to international volleyball could hardly have gone better.

     

    In her first match wearing national colors, Ytang delivered 12 points built on eight attacks and four kill blocks as Alas Pilipinas swept Uzbekistan in straight sets. She followed that performance with another double-digit outing against Australia, producing 13 points highlighted by nine attacks, three service aces, and a block.

     

    The statistics tell only part of the story.

     

    Throughout the opening matches, Ytang offered stability whenever the Philippines needed a spark at the net. Whether through timely blocks, quick attacks, or simply maintaining her composure in extended rallies, the 24-year-old middle blocker showed why the coaching staff trusted her with a spot on the roster.

     

    Yet despite the strong start, Ytang remains focused on growth rather than results.

     

    “I would say marami po akong natutunan, lalo na sa sarili ko,” said the Bantayan, Cebu native.

     

    “Of course, laging andiyan ‘yung mga ates and coaches na laging nag-ga-guide. Sa ngayon, more on lessons lang talaga ‘yung focus ko ngayon.”

     

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    Her commitment to the national team was evident even before the tournament began.

     

    Ytang chose to forgo the 2026 PVL Draft to prioritize her Alas Pilipinas campaign, betting that the experience of competing internationally would be more valuable at this stage of her development.

     

    So far, that decision has paid off.

     

    Beyond her personal performances, Ytang believes the team’s biggest challenge moving forward is not talent but cohesion. With several players still adjusting to one another, she sees communication and composure as the areas that will determine how far the Philippines can go in the competition.

     

    “I think it’s the composure and ‘yung connection sa isa’t isa po,” she said.

     

    “Laging communication, lalo na mahirap po na kakasama lang namin, so communication and composure sa loob ng court.”

     

    As Alas Pilipinas continues its campaign, Ytang’s emergence may be one of the tournament’s most encouraging developments. Not because she has become a leading scorer, but because she has embraced the role of a learner while already contributing like a veteran.

     

    For now, every point, every block, and every lesson appears to be moving her one step closer to becoming a long-term fixture in the national team setup.

     

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  • PVL Rookie Draft Chaos: Alyssa Solomon, Nina Ytang withdraw as Alas pulls talent away from pros 

    PVL Rookie Draft Chaos: Alyssa Solomon, Nina Ytang withdraw as Alas pulls talent away from pros 

    The 2026 PVL Rookie Draft was supposed to arrive with a clear storyline.

     

    Alyssa Solomon at the top. Niña Ytang not far behind. A loaded class ready to redefine the league.

    Instead, the draft board looks nothing like the one teams were preparing for just days ago.

     

    In a stunning late shift before the withdrawal deadline, consensus No. 1 pick Solomon pulled out of the draft entirely. And before teams could even adjust their plans, another major name followed.

     

    Niña Ytang — one of the fastest-rising prospects in the class and a near-lock to challenge for the top selection — also withdrew her application, choosing to remain committed to Alas Pilipinas Women instead of entering the professional ranks.

     

    The moves instantly changed the complexion of what had once looked like a draft with a clear pecking order.

     

    For Solomon, sources pointed to a decision that went beyond overseas opportunities.

    There had reportedly been discussions surrounding her continued involvement in the national team program — enough to keep the decorated former NU star from immediately taking the professional route.

     

    Then came Ytang’s turn.

     

    After her stock surged following Solomon’s withdrawal, the UP standout looked poised to become one of the strongest candidates for Galeries Tower’s top selection. But rather than capitalize on her rising draft value, Ytang chose to stay with the national setup.

     

    Her decision also comes at a complicated moment for Philippine volleyball, with uncertainty surrounding the national federation and preparations for upcoming international commitments.

     

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    And the reshuffling did not stop there.

     

    Sources revealed that Letran standouts Lara Mae Silva and Natalie Estreller also withdrew from the draft to continue prioritizing national team duties after being part of the expanded Alas Pilipinas pool.

     

    Suddenly, what looked like a draft class centered around a handful of elite names has become one of the most unpredictable in recent PVL memory.

     

    The departures remove players widely expected to reshape the opening selections — forcing teams to go back to the drawing board.

     

    National University setter Lams Lamina now emerges as one of the strongest names entering the conversation for the top pick, while other prospects such as Nicole Ong, Detdet Pepito, and several rising wing spikers could see their draft value climb overnight.

     

    What was once shaping up as a race dominated by familiar names has turned into something far more open.

     

    And in the middle of all that uncertainty, the PVL draft may end up becoming less about who leaves college for the pros — and more about who stays behind to carry the country’s colors.

     

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  • Nina Ytang embraces lifelong dream with Alas Pilipinas call-up  

    Nina Ytang embraces lifelong dream with Alas Pilipinas call-up  

    Long before she became one of the most dominant middle blockers in the UAAP, representing the Philippines was already part of Nina Ytang’s vision for herself.

     

    Not because of the spotlight that comes with wearing the national colors, but because of what she believes it stands for.

     

    Now officially part of the Alas Pilipinas pool for the 2026 AVC Women’s Nations Cup, the former University of the Philippines standout is finally stepping into a role she once only imagined — carrying not just her own dreams, but the responsibility that comes with playing for the country.

     

    For Ytang, the call-up feels deeply personal.

     

    “Grateful ako sa magiging experience, sa opportunity na ibinigay sa amin,” Ytang shared during the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum on Tuesday.

     

    The four-time UAAP Best Middle Blocker has spent years building a reputation as one of collegiate volleyball’s most reliable frontliners, but she believes her time at UP shaped her perspective beyond individual success.

     

    Inside the Fighting Maroons program, Ytang said athletes were constantly reminded that representing something bigger than themselves always mattered most.

     

    “Coming from the University of the Philippines, it focuses talaga on serving the Philippines,” she said. “So I think it’s also part of our need to serve the Philippines and represent the country sa upcoming AVC.”

     

    That mindset now follows her into a national team loaded with experience.

     

    Ytang joins a veteran-heavy Alas Pilipinas pool bannered by established names such as Alyssa Valdez, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Ces Molina, Ara Galang, and Tots Carlos — players she once watched from afar and now trains beside every day.

     

    Rather than feeling overwhelmed, the 22-year-old middle blocker sees the environment as another opportunity to grow. 

     

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    “Bilang bago pa lang sa team na ‘to, ngayon po focus lang ako din po sa learnings na makukuha ko from my ates,” she shared.

     

    Even with the excitement surrounding her inclusion, Ytang knows the challenge ahead extends far beyond simply making the roster.

     

    The AVC Women’s Nations Cup will pit the Philippines against some of Asia’s toughest volleyball programs, placing heavy expectations on a team currently blending veterans with emerging young talent.

     

    For her part, Ytang insists the focus inside camp remains simple: work.

     

    “I think magtrabaho lang po kami nang maayos,” Ytang said. “Ibibigay naman po namin yung best po namin every day. Every single training pa lang po.”

     

    The national team stint also comes during a major transition period in Ytang’s career as she prepares to enter the upcoming PVL Rookie Draft, where she is widely expected to become one of the top selections.

     

    But before the professional stage fully arrives, Ytang is savoring what she considers the fulfillment of a lifelong goal.

     

    “It has always been my dream to represent the country,” she said. “Kaya sobrang thankful po ako na mabigyan ng opportunity na maging parte ng national team.”

     

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  • Smaller pool, bigger names: PVL Draft class still loaded with star power 

    Smaller pool, bigger names: PVL Draft class still loaded with star power 

    The 2026 PVL Rookie Draft may be the smallest in the league’s young history, but it hardly feels lacking in intrigue.

     

    Only 41 players made the final draft list released ahead of the June 3 selection day, a noticeable drop from previous years. But while the numbers dipped, the quality at the top of the class remained impossible to ignore.

     

    At the center of it all stands Alyssa Solomon — the towering National University opposite spiker widely expected to become the top overall pick after finally deciding to bring her game home following a season in Japan’s SV.League with Osaka Marvelous.

     

    Solomon’s arrival instantly gives this year’s draft its marquee attraction. The 6-foot-1 hitter spent the past year sharpening her game overseas, helping Osaka Marvelous reach the finals while producing 147 points across 30 matches against elite international competition.

     

    And yet, even beyond Solomon, this year’s class offers plenty of proven winners, decorated collegiate stars, and intriguing long-term prospects.

     

    National University continues to leave a massive imprint on the local volleyball landscape, with two-time UAAP Best Setter Lams Lamina also entering the draft after helping sustain the Lady Bulldogs’ dynasty run in recent years.

     

    University of the Philippines star Nina Ytang likewise headlines the frontcourt talent pool after carving out a historic collegiate career as the first four-time UAAP Best Middle Blocker. Her dominance at the net made her one of the most feared middle blockers of her generation and now positions her as one of the most coveted names available.

     

    Defense, meanwhile, gets its own headline act through UST libero Detdet Pepito, whose floor coverage and consistency made her one of the most reliable back-row anchors in the collegiate ranks.

     

    Several established scorers are also making the leap to the pros.

     

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    Former UST standouts Jonna Perdido and Xyza Gula headline the wing spiker group together with UP’s Irah Jaboneta, Joan Monares, Heart Magsombol, and Jum Gayo. Far Eastern University sends Tin Ubaldo, Ann Asis, and Florize Papa into the draft, while La Salle adds Ela Raagas, Michelle Beterina, and Sophia Sindayen to the mix.

     

    The talent pool stretches beyond the UAAP as well.

     

    Letran’s Lara Mae Silva, Natalie Estreller, and Julienne Castro banner the NCAA hopefuls alongside San Sebastian’s Katherine Santos, Christina Marasigan, and Kristine Dionisio. Other collegiate programs such as JRU, Lyceum, Mapua, San Beda, and Perpetual also have representatives hoping to earn professional opportunities.

     

    One of the more intriguing names in the draft is Fil-foreign hitter Jade Fuentes, who previously suited up for La Salle before continuing her career with Cal State Dominguez Hills in the United States. Fuentes recently expressed excitement about returning to Philippine volleyball and embracing what she called the country’s unmatched competitive atmosphere.

     

    Provincial standouts Kirsty Destajo of UNC-Sorsogon and Angel Galinato of the University of San Carlos also cracked the final list, further highlighting the expanding reach of the PVL talent search beyond Metro Manila’s traditional power schools.

     

    Now, despite having fewer applicants than previous years, the draft still feels capable of reshaping several franchises.

     

    Because while the class may be smaller, the names attached to it carry expectations of becoming the league’s next wave of stars.

     

     

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