By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Negrense volleybelles Angel Canino and Arah Panique will banner Alas Pilipinas national women’s volleyball team that will face Vietnam in the FIVB Women’s Volleyball Challenger Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila on Friday night, July 5.

Canino, who hails from Bacolod City, and Panique, who came from Negros Occidental’s San Enrique town, are part of the 14-player roster of head coach Jorge Edson Souza de Brito in the tournament.

Canino was named Best Opposite Spiker in Alas’ historic bronze medal finish in the AVC Challenge Cup for Women, while Panique also had her moments for the national team during their semifinals defeat to Kazakhstan.

Also part of the lineup are Aklanon Dell Palomata, Julia Morado-de Guzman, Jessica Galanza, Mhicaela Belen, Mereophe Sharma, Thea Gagate, Cherry Rondina, Faith Nisperos, Vanie Gandler, Dawn Macandili-Catindig, Julia Coronel, and Cherry Nunag.

Excluded from the official roster are Chery Tiggo Crossovers stars Eya Laure and Jennifer Nierva, as well as National University Lady Bulldogs’ Alyssa Solomon, and Creamline Cool Smashers’ Diana Carlos.

Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Ramon “Tats” Suzara admitted that De Brito and Alas Pilipinas Women are up for a tough challenge against Vietnam.

“It’s tough on Day 1 for Alas Pilipinas, but we’re very sure they’ll give the Vietnamese a tough fight,” Suzara said in a statement.

The Alas Pilipinas-Vietnam duel is set at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, after the duel between the Czech Republic and Argentina at 3:00 p.m.

Puerto Rico and Kenya will open hostilities at 3:00 p.m., while Belgium and Sweden will slug it out at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 4.

Winners who advance to the semifinals until the finale will be under a win-or-go-home format of the tournament, where the top team qualifies for next year’s Volleyball Nations League./ASC, WDJ