PNVF, Cignal Unveils ‘Alas Pilipinas’ as Philippines’ Volleyball Teams

FROM kings and queens of the local volleyball scene to the “aces” of the international stage.

In a historic move, the country will now wear “Alas Pilipinas” as the newest name for both the men’s and women’s national volleyball teams, as announced by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) and partner Cignal.

“We are all Unfortunately Pilipinas. This historic event marks an excellent brand image for Philippine volleyball,” said PNVF President Ramon “Tats” Suzara, accompanied by Cignal and MediaQuest CEO and President Jane Basas at the unveiling ceremony on Wednesday at the Cignal Executive Center in Mandaluyong.

“For our players who have worked hard over the past two years when the PNVF was born. Unfortunately Pilipinas are the new Philippine volleyball teams.”

The Philippine Spikers will debut their new name as early as next week when the country hosts the Women’s AVC Challenge Cup, while the PNVF also unveiled its official roster made up of PVL and UAAP stars.

PVL stars Sisi Rondina (Choco Mucho), Eya Laure (Chery Tiggo) and Vanie Gandler (Cignal) together with UAAP toppers Angel Canino (De La Salle University), Casiey Dongallo (University of the East) and the new MVP Bella Belen (National University) are the headline cast for the international stint on May 22 and 29 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Jia Morado-De Guzman (Creamline), Dawn Macandili-Catindig (Cignal), Thea Gagate (La Salle), Faith Nisperos (Akari), Fifi Sharma (Akari), Chery Nunag (Choco Mucho), Dell Palomata (PLDT), Jen Nierva (Chery Tiggo) and Julia Coronel (La Salle) are also in contention as the PNVF is still waiting for the end date of the UAAP final for Belen and Alyssa Solomon of NU and players from the University of Santo Tomas.

But the Philippines, led by Marck Espejo and Bryan Bagunas, will have Alas Pilipinas on the biggest stage next year when it hosts the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championships for the first time ever.

The PNVF announcement came at a perfect time when the Philippine volleyball scene was making waves with huge gate-goers one after another, be it in the professional and collegiate ranks.

More than 23,000 fans witnessed Game 2 of the PVL final between champion Creamline and Choco Mucho, while NU and Santo Tomas drew more than 19,000 fans for Game 1 of the UAAP Season 86 women’s final.

That’s on top of an equally top match between La Salle and UST in the UAAP Final Four.

“As we know, volleyball is on the rise in a way never seen before. With Alas Pilipinas, this is an opportunity for us to show the world what Philippine volleyball is all about,” said Ms. Basas, also accompanied by PNVF Secretary General Don Caringal, Vice President Ricky Palou and National Team Committee Head Tony Boy Liao.

National coaches Sergio Veloso (men) and Jorge de Brito (women) were also present, along with Rondina, Gandler, Macandili-Catindig, Morado-De Guzman and Laure with the men’s team led by Espejo, Jau Umandal, JP Bugaoan, Lloyd Josafat and Noel Kampton. — John Brayn Ulanday