Jia Morado-De Guzman returns to lead a determined Alas Pilipinas squad that will chase no less than the women’s volleyball gold at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games this December in Thailand. The Philippine National Volleyball Federation approved a 20-player pool stacked with stars from both the Premier Volleyball League and UAAP.

PNVF president Ramon “Tats” Suzara made the team’s mission clear, saying the country will only settle for a championship finish after podium misses in recent editions. The team will train overseas ahead of the tournament to sharpen chemistry and competitiveness under Brazilian head coach Jorge Edson Souza de Brito.

Roster anchored by veterans and rising standouts

Morado-De Guzman of Creamline leads the setter crew alongside Julia Coronel of Galeries Tower and Mars Alba of Akari. Libero duties will be handled by Dawn Macandili-Catindig of Cignal, Jen Nierva of Chery Tiggo and Justine Jazareno of Akari, reinforcing the squad’s defensive backbone.

Opposites include Alyssa Solomon (Osaka Marvelous), Kat Tolentino (Choco Mucho) and Leila Cruz (Capital1). The outside hitter unit features Shaina Nitura (Adamson), Eya Laure (Chery Tiggo), Vanessa Gandler (Cignal), Angel Canino (La Salle), Bella Belen (Capital1) and Alleiah Malaluan (PLDT), giving the team firepower and versatility across rotations.

Middle wall and training plans

Middle blockers Dell Palomata (PLDT), Amie Provido (La Salle), Maddie Madayag (Choco Mucho), Thea Gagate (Zus Coffee) and Fifi Sharma (Akari) round out the group. Team officials said the squad will hold camp from November 15 to 30 overseas, with Japan and Taiwan being final options.

Indoor volleyball runs December 10 to 19 at Bangkok’s Huamark Indoor Stadium. The Philippines has won the SEA Games women’s volleyball gold six times, and the federation believes this build offers the depth and talent to return the country to the top podium spot.