Solomon Earns Spot as Alas Pilipinas Begins AVC Women’s Cup Campaign Against Uzbekistan

After weeks of anticipation surrounding the team’s final composition, Alas Pilipinas has officially unveiled its roster for the 2026 AVC Women’s Volleyball Cup, with Alyssa Solomon securing a place in the squad ahead of its opening match against Uzbekistan on Saturday at the Candon City Arena.

The 6-foot-1 opposite hitter returns to the national team setup after previously stepping away from the program. Her comeback followed her decision to withdraw from the 2026 Premier Volleyball League Draft, a move that allows her to remain available for potential opportunities overseas. Solomon arrived in Candon just days before the tournament to complete her integration with the team.

Solomon joins ZUS Coffee middle blocker Thea Gagate as the only holdovers from the Alas Pilipinas squad that competed in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, where the Filipinas placed fourth after a bronze-medal loss to Vietnam.

Leading the national team is veteran outside hitter Alyssa Valdez, who has been named team captain. She is set to reunite on the international stage with former collegiate rival Ara Galang of Farm Fresh, bringing experience and added depth to the roster.

The outside hitter corps also features Creamline star Tots Carlos alongside Farm Fresh standouts Ces Molina and Royse Tubino, providing Alas Pilipinas with a strong and versatile wing attack.

At opposite hitter, Solomon teams up with ZUS Coffee’s Jovelyn Gonzaga to bolster the team’s scoring options. The middle blocker rotation will be anchored by Gagate, Niña Ytang—who also skipped the PVL Draft to prioritize national team commitments—and Far Eastern University’s Cla Loresco.

Running the offense are setters Kyle Negrito of Creamline and Tin Ubaldo of Choco Mucho, while liberos Kyla Atienza and Alyssa Eroa will handle the team’s defensive responsibilities.

Absent from the final lineup are Farm Fresh’s Trisha Tubu and Far Eastern University’s Jaz Ellarina. Letran standouts Lara Mae Silva and Natalie Estreller, who earlier forfeited their draft eligibility to focus on national team duties, were also left out of the final roster.

Fresh from a runner-up finish in the previous edition of the tournament, Alas Pilipinas now turns its attention to Pool B competition, opening its AVC Women’s Cup campaign against Uzbekistan at 3 p.m. on Saturday.