Alas Pilipinas skipper Jia de Guzman has nothing but gratitude as the national team gets a significant boost in Jema Galanza, Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon.
De Guzman said anyone who could reinforce the “very good lineup” is welcome in the national team, which will be participating in the upcoming 2024 FIVB Women’s Volleyball Challenger Cup.
“We’re grateful na na-reinforced pa kami lalo kasi we had a very good lineup noong AVC [Challenge Cup], and we’re welcoming every help that we can get, so grabe rin ‘yung experience nung tatlo,” De Guzman said on Wednesday, June 19, during the national team’s meet and greet at the Mall of Asia Arena.
On June 11, head coach Jorge de Brito confirmed the inclusion of Galanza in the Alas player pool.
Galanza, Belen and Solomon have recently boosted their volleyball resumes.
Galanza is an eight-time PVL champion with the Creamline Cool Smashers, and was recognized as finals MVP in the 2024 All-Filipino Conference, while recent UAAP champions Belen and Solomon steered National University to crowning glory once more for its second collegiate title in three years.
De Guzman said they are still hopeful to deepen the Alas bench more.
“… We’re hoping na madagdagan pa kami para, in the long run, mas malalim pa ‘yung bench natin,” the eight-time PVL Best Setter said.
Coming into the Challenger Cup, De Guzman said preparations are underway as they hope for “better results” this time.
“Well, we’re doing our best to prepare well, kasi ngayon medyo sure naman po na Vietnam ang makakalaban namin, so we’ve seen them play in person in AVC, and yeah, araw-araw we’re taking it a day at a time, preparing, taking advantage of ‘yung preparation namin this time, compared noon before AVC. So hopefully, better results din kami,” the Denso Airybees star said.
The tournament offers a golden opportunity: A potential ticket to the prestigious Volleyball Nations League (VNL).
Alas took time to appreciate its Filipino supporters at the fan meet at the sidelines of the Manila leg of the Men’s VNL. (ABS-CBN News)