Last year, the Alas Pilipinas Men’s Volleyball Team made history in their Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) Men’s World Championship debut, proving to the world that Filipino players can compete head-to-head with international powerhouses.
Photo: Alas Pilipinas/Facebook
This year, it is the Alas Pilipinas Girls National Volleyball Team’s turn to shine on the world stage at the FIVB Volleyball Girls’ U17 World Championship in San Felipe, Chile.
The youth team’s debut marks the first time in history that a Philippine national volleyball team has qualified for a world tournament outright on competitive merit, rather than as a host country.
Alas Pilipinas U17’s journey to the world stage was no easy feat. To earn their ticket, they had to defeat regional powerhouse Thailand in a thriller classification match at the 2025 Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Asian Women’s U16 Championship in Amman, Jordan.
Former De La Salle Santiago Zobel junior volleyball head coach Edwin Leyva leads the squad, joined by assistant coaches Oliver Balse and University of Santo Tomas (UST) head coach Lerma Giron.
The youth squad features some of the country’s top high school talent, spearheaded by 5-foot-6 open hitter Caera Celis from St. John’s Institute and 5-foot-10 Palarong Pambansa standout Xyz Rayco from Saint Michael College of Caraga.
Photo: Alas Pilipinas/Facebook
Completing the Alas Pilipinas Girls U17 roster are Jhaynna Love Bulandres, Irish May Mahinay, Princess Khaira Manzano, and Frances Dianne Ramos from NU Nazareth School; Taj Arkhea Teves and Megan Yesha Hernandez from UST; Sharina Rhyza Lleses from Kings’ Montessori School; Jello Andrea Mauricio from San Felipe Neri Catholic School; Nadeth Faye Herbon from Leyte National High School; Jhenica Sadia from Ateneo de Manila High School; and Cristina Madele Gale from Bacolod Tay Tung High School.
The team faced fierce competition in the preliminary pool, competing against Mexico, Peru, Tunisia, Venezuela, and world No. 1 China.
Despite losses to China, Peru, and Venezuela, victories over Mexico and Tunisia—along with a crucial point earned in a five-set battle against Venezuela—propelled the Alas Girls’ U17 team into the Round of 16. They lost against the reigning AVC Girls’ U16 Asian champions, South Korea, on August 13, but they are set to compete against Japan in the 9th-16th classification round on August 15 (PH time).
Fans can watch all the action live for free on the official Volleyball World YouTube channel.
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