After a breakthrough qualifying run that capped its November 2025 campaign, the Alas Pilipinas U16 team surged to world No. 25 in the latest FIVB Girls’ U17 rankings. The squad climbed 17 places from its previous No. 42 standing, solidifying its spot in the 2026 world championship set from Aug. 5 to 16 in Santiago, Chile.

The rise also marks an astonishing overall jump from No. 57, where the program began before this year’s continental cycle. The surge comes after the Filipinas finished fifth in the AVC Women’s U16 Championship in Amman, Jordan, a result that secured the last Asian berth for next year’s global event.

Alas coach Edwin Leyva said the climb reflects the progress of the national pipeline. He credited the steady accumulation of ranking points and the quality of competition across the Asian qualifiers as key drivers of the leap.

Leyva highlights rising competitiveness

For Leyva, the movement in the standings is both a breakthrough and a reminder that development remains ongoing. He said the players have embraced long-term goals while treating the qualification as a foundation for higher ambitions.

The coach believes the team’s motivation has grown after the program’s biggest ranking gain yet. He emphasized the importance of translating momentum into tougher training cycles as the world championship approaches.

PNVF cites grassroots gains

PNVF president Ramon “Tats” Suzara said the rise validates the federation’s grassroots blueprint launched in 2021. He pointed to the consistent strides of national teams—highlighting the men’s and women’s programs—as proof of a stronger system feeding into youth squads like the U16.

The U16 now stands as the highest-ranked Philippine volleyball team, ahead of the Alas Women at No. 46 and the Alas Men at No. 80. The federation views the achievement as part of its broader regional presence, including Suzara’s leadership roles within the AVC and FIVB.

The Filipinas cemented their world championship qualification after a four-set victory over Thailand—25–23, 25–20, 19–25, 25–22—that delivered 14 ranking points. They join South Korea, Chinese Taipei, Japan, and automatically qualified China as Asia’s representatives in the 2026 global meet.