Alas Pilipinas is locked and loaded for Aichi-Nagoya.

The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) officially named 33 athletes across the men’s and women’s volleyball pools on Friday, setting the roster foundation for the country’s Asian Games campaign.

The pools draw heavily from proven talent, with most of the names having seen action at last September’s FIVB Men’s World Championship on home soil and the Bangkok Southeast Asian Games in December.

Veteran Coaches Reappointed as POC Locks In Leadership

POC president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino confirmed the coaching staff is set. Secretary-general Atty. Wharton sent out official letters reappointing Italian tactician Angiolino Frigoni and Japanese coach Takayuki Minowa.

Frigoni stays on with the Alas Pilipinas Men. Minowa continues with the Women. Both will lead their squads into the Asian Games, which run from September 19 to October 4.

The appointments take effect July 1 and run through October 15, covering the full tournament cycle.

To strengthen the women’s program further, the POC reached out to the Premiere Volleyball League for full backing, working directly with league president Ricky Palou and commissioner Sherwin Malonzo.

That makes sense given the roster — most of the women named currently compete for PVL teams.

A 33-Strong Roster Built on World Championship and SEA Games Pedigree

The women’s pool features 19 athletes.

It’s headlined by Jia De Guzman, Eya Laure, Angel Anne Canino, Thea Gagate, Fifi Sharma and Shaina Marie Nitura. They’re joined by Justine Yliyzeth Jazareno, Jennifer Nierva, Dawn Nicole Catindig, Mhicaela Belen, Vanessa Gandler, Alleiah Jan Malaluan, Amie Provido, Nina Ytang, Janette Panaga, Erika Santos, Arah Panique, Marionne Angelique Alba, Maria Angelica Cayuna, Shaira Jardio, Dell Palomata and Alyssa Jae Solomon.

The men’s side rounds out the roster with 14 athletes.

Bryan Bagunas, Marck Jesus Espejo, Lloyd Josafat and Jude Garcia lead the group, joined by Michaelo Buddin, Leo Ordiales, Al Bukharie Sali, Rwenzmel Taguibolos, Ave Joshua Retamar, Josh Ybañez, Adrian Villados, Vince Patrick Lorenzo, Kristofer Rodge Alejos and Trevor Torio.

The timing matters here. The national volleyball federation remains suspended by the FIVB, leaving the POC to directly manage the country’s program — part of its broader job overseeing national teams across all sports for the Olympics, Asian Games and SEA Games.

That oversight is now racing the clock, with the deadline to submit the Entry by Name list to the Aichi-Nagoya Organizing Committee set for Wednesday, July 1.