Alas Pilipinas Women. Photo from SAVA/file
MANILA — Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) president Tonyboy Liao on Friday said that invitations have already been sent to prospective players for Alas Pilipinas Women's team ahead of the 2026 AVC Women's Volleyball Cup.
Liao shared that the federation is expecting responses by next week, with invitations extended to players from both the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) and the collegiate ranks.
“Right now, we already sent out the invitations for those players that are being invited in the PVL and in the universities. So by next week, we will be coming out with the replies,” Liao said during the tournament’s ceremonial drawing of lots at the Diamond Hotel.
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It still depends whether the PVL clubs and the universities would approve the release, said Liao.
"So, we are just waiting for the reply of the club teams if they will be released. So once they're released, we start training. Right now, there are some players whose club teams are already eliminated," he said, referring to the ongoing 2026 All-Filipino Conference.
According to the PNVF chief, the national team will likely lean on the core of the previous Alas Pilipinas roster, particularly those who competed in the recent Southeast Asian Games.
“Definitely, the core of that one will be the former Alas team. Kasi nga naging core sila noong the last SEA Games. So because of the ongoing PVL, very little time na lang for them to train. Kaya nga doon namin binase mostly,” he said.
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Liao added that participation ultimately depends on the players’ willingness to accept the call-up.
“Ngayon, like what he was asking earlier, depende kung sino gusto maglaro pa,” he said.
The Philippines aims to defend — or improve on — its runner-up finish in last year’s tournament, when it was still known as the AVC Nations Cup.
The continental tilt is scheduled on June 6-14 at the Candon City Arena in Ilocos Sur.