MANILA, Philippines – For 20 years, the Philippines has failed to break a proverbial glass ceiling in Southeast Asian (SEA) Games women’s volleyball, falling out of medal contention every two years since last winning a bronze in Manila back in 2005.

This year, however, is looking to be the moment the country finally quenches that drought, as the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) pulled out all the stops to assemble arguably the strongest Alas Pilipinas national team it possibly could today.

Here is the Philippines’ 20-strong pool for this year’s SEA Games in volleyball hotbed Thailand, expected to be trimmed down to around 14 to 15 about a week before the competition window on December 10 to 16.

Jia de Guzman

LOCKED IN. Alas Pilipinas captain Jia de Guzman in action in the 2024 FIVB Challenger Cup

The head of the snake and arguably the greatest Filipina playmaker of all time, eight-time PVL Best Setter Jia de Guzman returns for another Alas tour of duty as she continues to solely focus on helping improve the national team, unburdened by any club commitments on the way to the SEA Games.

Bella Belen

ROOKIE. Bella Belen stars for the Capital1 Solar Spikers in the 2025-26 PVL Reinforced Conference.

A three-time UAAP MVP and champion, National University legend and current Capital1 star rookie Bella Belen is again set to bolster Alas, whether as a starter or key bench player, with her time-tested consistency on offense and floor defense.

Angel Canino

YOUNG STAR. Angel Canino reacts after winning an individual award with Alas Pilipinas in the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup.

The only player in Philippine volleyball history with both a Best Outside Hitter and Best Opposite Hitter in the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC), former UAAP MVP Angel Canino takes a leave from her preparations with De La Salle University to once again represent the country in international play.

Alyssa Solomon

CELEBRATE. Alyssa Solomon (14) in action for Alas Pilipinas in the 2025 AVC Women’s Volleyball Nations Cup.

Another fast-rising Filipina volleyball star, former UAAP Finals MVP and current Japan SV.League import Alyssa Solomon of the Osaka Marvelous is set for a quick homecoming to anchor Alas in the opposite spiker position and be one of the team’s top power-hitting options on the wing.

Dawn Catindig

LIBERO. Dawn Macandili-Catindig (16) celebrates with her Cignal HD Spikers teammates during a 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference game.

Arguably the best Filipina libero of all time, former Alas co-captain and veteran libero Dawn Catindig returns to shore up the country’s defense against Southeast Asia’s best hitters and is out to prove she still has what it takes to be the team’s main floor defender.

Dell Palomata

TOWERING. Dell Palomata lends her experience to PLDT in PVL action.

Though routinely criticized by Filipino fans for various reasons like a perceived lack of speed and power, savvy veteran middle blocker Dell Palomata of PLDT is currently on a redemption tour after winning the 2025 AVC Nations Cup Best Middle Blocker award last June.

Fifi Sharma

RISING STARS. Akari spiker blocker Fifi Sharma (center), with Faith Nisperos (left) and spiker Trisha Genesis (right), react in-game in the 2023 PVL 2nd All-Filipino Conference

A constant net presence for Alas since joining the pro club scene, former UAAP champion Fifi Sharma is currently on a hot streak in her return to the PVL’s Akari Chargers, hitting double-digit points with a healthy helping of blocks in each of her team’s first four games of the 2025 Reinforced Conference.

Thea Gagate

HOT START. Thea Gagate (center) and the La Salle Lady Spikers celebrate a winning play.

Though currently on the mend from injury, three-time UAAP Best Middle Blocker, former UAAP champion and the PVL’s inaugural first overall rookie draft pick Thea Gagate remains an imposing net defense threat, working perfectly well in any plug-and-play rotation whether as a starter or reserve.

Eya Laure

SKYING SLEYA. Alas Pilipinas spiker Eya Laure attempts an attack in the 2025 AVC Nations Cup in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Always a fiery and positive presence on and off the court, PVL star spiker Eya Laure returns to bolster the Alas wing rotation with a consistent balance of power and finesse.

Shaina Nitura

YOUNG GUN. Alas Pilipinas spiker Shaina Nitura (1) in action in the 2025 SEA V. League.

Already the UAAP all-time single-season scoring record-holder after just her rookie season, Adamson superstar hitter and captain Shaina Nitura looks to beef up her international resumé further as she also prepares for her 2026 college sophomore campaign.

Vanie Gandler

ATTACK. Alas Pilipinas’ Vanie Gander fires past the defenders of Saga Hitsamitsu Spring during their exhibition match.

One of the brightest spots for the PVL’s Cignal Super Spikers in 2025, Vanie Gandler looks for a favorable close to a breakout year with another shot at cracking Alas’ crowded wing rotation through her vastly-improved power hits and floor defense.

Justine Jazareno

HEROIC EFFORT. Alas Pilipinas libero Justine Jazareno in action in the 2025 SEA V. League first leg in Thailand.

Just a few months removed from childbirth, former La Salle champion libero Justine Jazareno has soared to new heights in the latter half of 2025, winning her first career SEA V. League Best Libero award last August and now standing as likely heir apparent to Catindig in the Alas libero pecking order.

Jen Nierva

CELEBRATE. Chery Tiggo libero Jennifer Nierva (center), reacts with middle blocker Pauline Gaston (left) and hitter Mylene Paat (right), in the 2023 PVL Second All-Filipino Conference.

A former UAAP champion libero from National University, Jen Nierva also seeks to make the most of her own breakout year as a professional player with a year-ending Alas stint, should she be chosen over either Catindig or Jazareno.

Kat Tolentino

STAY STRONG. Choco Mucho’s Kat Tolentino attempts a spike over Petro Gazz’s Aiza Maizo-Pontillas in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.

Hampered through the years with multiple ACL tears, partial deafness, vertigo, and appendicitis, veteran opposite hitter Kat Tolentino makes an astounding recovery back to the national team radar with her recent standout performances with the PVL’s Choco Mucho Flying Titans.

Maddie Madayag

ATTACK. Maddie Madayag in action for the Choco Mucho Flying Titans in the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference.

Once a Japan league import like De Guzman and Solomon, Maddie Madayag returns to Alas still a highly capable, but now a more experienced middle blocker, ready to step in should one of Palomata, Gagate or Sharma get cut or beg off from national team duties.

Mars Alba

KEY COG. Mars Alba plays key roles from the collegiate to the pro level.

Already a seasoned pro with stints for three PVL teams in less than two years, former UAAP Finals MVP and Best Setter Mars Alba rises with Alas as a fearless backup playmaker to De Guzman and may prove to be a highly underrated pickup should she make the final cut.

Julia Coronel

NEXT STAR SETTER. Galeries Tower’s Julia Coronel in action in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.

Another former UAAP champion and 2024 PVL No. 3 overall rookie pick, Galeries Tower star Julia Coronel offers Alas much-needed height and net defense at the setter position and also stands as a competent backup to De Guzman.

Alleiah Malaluan

STRONG START. PLDT rookie Alleiah Malaluan steps up right in the opener of the PVL Invitational.

Alleiah Malaluan ends the year with so much more in store for the next, as she made personal history with her first career Alas nod and PVL pro league debut with PLDT. Though not expected to see much national team action, the former UAAP champion remains on the Alas radar for 2026 and beyond.

Leila Cruz

BACK IN FORM. Leila Cruz proves her mettle anew in PVL action.

Once hampered by a lengthy injury that cut her UAAP career short, former La Salle prospect and 2024 PVL No. 2 overall pick Leila Cruz now retains her spot as a potential Alas call-up with her natural height and ever-improving spiking power for the national team and her PVL club Capital1 alongside Belen.

Amie Provido

POWER. La Salle’s Amie Provido rises for an attack in the UAAP volleyball tournament.

Current La Salle star middle blocker Amie Provido rounds out the 20-woman pool as a fringe roster addition and is expected to be a part of the Alas program for years to come while continuing to hone her two-way skill set.

Heading to the 2025 SEA Games, the Philippines last won bronze in 2005 at the tail-end of a six-year three-peat from 1999.

Before that, the country won back-to-back silvers in the 1995 and 1997 editions, immediately following its last golden coup in 1993.

Since the Philippines’ last gold finish, Thailand has kept up a legendary streak of 14 straight SEA Games women’s volleyball championships, now going for 15 on home soil in Bangkok. – Rappler.com