Alas Pilipinas Girls brace for tough test at AVC U18 Championship

Alas Pilipinas Girls is set to take on a formidable challenge as it opens its campaign in the 2026 AVC Women's U18 Volleyball Championship in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.

The Filipinas landed in a stacked Pool C featuring Asian contenders Iran, Japan, and Indonesia. They begin their campaign against reigning Asian Youth U19 champion Iran on Wednesday, followed by matches against Japan on Thursday and Indonesia on Friday.

Despite facing some of the continent's strongest teams, head coach Karl Dimaculangan remains confident that his young squad is capable of competing at a high level.

"We have talented players, they just need to improve their level of play," said Dimaculangan, who will be assisted by Keenan Quitco and Marco Maclang.

Bannering the Philippine team is Xyz Rayco, one of the key players from the squad that secured the country's historic berth in the 2026 FIVB Girls' U17 World Championship in Santiago, Chile. Joining her is Adamson standout Ella Gonzalvo as the Filipinas look to build on the momentum from their bronze-medal finish in the recently concluded Princess Cup, where host Thailand claimed the title.

Also named to the national team are Sharina Lleses, Frances Ramos, Micaella Gould, May Mahinay, Venus De Guia, Bubay Belen, Ysabelle Cruz, Slash Obera, Ysabelle Tuballas, Princess Manzano, Jhaynna Bulandres, and Adelaine Agustin.

The roster is bolstered by several players from reigning Palarong Pambansa champion National University, while Lleses is the lone representative from King's Montessori School of Quezon City.

In the other pools, host Thailand heads Pool A with Uzbekistan, Australia, and Mongolia. China tops Pool B alongside Kazakhstan, Hong Kong, and Kyrgyzstan, while Pool D features Chinese Taipei, Korea, India, and Princess Cup runner-up Vietnam.

The continental tournament serves as another valuable test for Alas Pilipinas Girls as it continues its preparations for the 2026 FIVB Girls' U17 World Championship later this year.