Alas Pilipinas joins VTV Cup; Petro Gazz ‘didn’t meet deadline’
Alas Pilipinas coach Jorge Souza de Brito talks to his coaching staff and team captain Jia de Guzman during an AVC Challenge Cup 2024 game. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIREr.net
MANILA, Philippines — Alas Pilipinas will compete in the VTV International Cup as part of its busy 2025 schedule from June 28 to July 5 in Vietnam.
Philippines National Volleyball Federation and AVC president Tats Suzara revealed that Alas will replace 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference champion Petro Gazz in the invitational tournament.
READ: Brooke Van Sickle set to join Alas Pilipinas’ MVP-laden pool
“Petro Gazz didn’t meet the deadline. That’s why I decided to send Alas,” Suzara told Inquirer Sports.
Alas Pilipinas will be in Vietnam for almost a month as it will also compete in the AVC Women’s Nations Cup, formerly the Challenge Cup, from June 7 to 14 in Hanoi.
Brazilian head coach Jorge Souza de Brito is currently training with the stars of Philippine volleyball, led by three-time UAAP MVP Bella Belen with mainstays Jia De Guzman, Dawn Macandili-Catindig, Vanie Gandler, Eya Laure, Dell Palomata, Jennifer Nierva, Thea Gagate, Julia Coronel, and Fifi Sharma.
READ: Jia De Guzman eager to lead and learn from young Alas Pilipinas
Also part of the pool are MJ Phillips, Maddie Madayag, Jeanette Panaga, Mars Alba, Julia Coronel, Dawn Catindig, and Tia Andaya as well as UAAP stars Shaina Nitura, Cla Loresco, and Lams Lamina.
For the first time the national team will represent the country in the VTV Cup. Choco Mucho won bronze in 2023, while National University competed last year.
