Alas Girls confident ahead of historic U17 World Championship debut

Alas Pilipinas Girls heads to Chile with confidence as the young national team prepares for its biggest challenge yet at the FIVB Volleyball Girls U17 World Championship, scheduled from August 6 to 16.

The Filipinas earned their place in the global tournament after a historic qualification through the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Women’s U16 Championship and will now test themselves against some of the world’s top youth volleyball programs.

Despite being grouped with established volleyball nations, the team remains unfazed.

UST standout Megan Hernandez said the Filipinas are focused on competing without fear and showing what they can do on the international stage.

"Pare-parehas lang po kami nagtatrating at magkaka-age lang kami, so dapat wag kami matakot at ipakita lang naming kung ano pong meron sa team," Hernandez said.

Top scorer Xyz Rayco, one of the team’s leading performers during the AVC campaign, emphasized that their fighting spirit will be crucial against stronger opponents.

"Kailangan ipakita namin na palaban kami," Rayco said.

Assistant coach Oliver Balse also expressed confidence in the team’s ability to compete despite facing physically stronger opponents, noting that preparation and skill can help close the gap.

"Sa age-group, kahit ibang lahi, pare-pareho pa. Merong taller players of course, but skills makakatapat tayo sa kanila," Balse said.

The Philippines was drawn into a difficult Pool B alongside China, Mexico, Peru, Tunisia, and Venezuela.

Leading the 14-player roster are Hernandez and Rayco, along with National University standouts Khaira Manzano, Irish May Mahinay, Frances Dianne Ramos, and Jhaynna Bulandres.

Also joining the squad are Madele Gale of Bacolod Tay Tung High School, Sharina Lleses of King’s Montessori School, Caera Celis of St. John’s Institute, Ateneo standouts Resty Jane Olaguir and Jhenica Sadia, UST’s Taj Arkhea Teves, Nadeth Herbon of Leyte National High School, and Jello Andrea Mauricio of San Felipe Neri Catholic School.

Host Chile leads Pool A alongside Czechia, Egypt, Thailand, Türkiye, and the United States. Pool C features Argentina, Brazil, Croatia, Spain, Japan, and Poland, while Pool D includes Italy, Korea, Algeria, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and Chinese Taipei.