FILE–National University’s Alyssa Solomon (12) and Bella Belen (4) during the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Jema Galanza and National University’s Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon have joined the Alas Pilipinas practice on Wednesday morning at Philsports Arena.
Galanza, Belen, and Solomon, the new additions to the training pool, have started preparing with the AVC Challenge Cup bronze medalists ahead of the FIVB Challenger Cup from July 4 to 7 at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Three-time PVL MVP Tots Carlos, however, hasn’t trained with the team yet due to a minor injury but Alas coach Jorge Souza De Brito is elated to have the newcomers as they battle Challenge Cup champion Vietnam in the do-or-die Challenger Cup game as the survivor of the tournament will qualify to the Volleyball Nations League.
READ: Tots Carlos, Jema Galanza added to Alas Pilipinas pool
De Brito said the training pool went back to basics to start their preparation for the world qualifier.
Belen and Solomon were part of the original pool but begged off in the AVC Challenge Cup due to fatigue after winning the UAAP Season 86 title for NU, while Galanza and Carlos were in a long-awaited Spain trip with Creamline booked even before the new Alas team was formed.
Creamline’s Jema Galanza.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Belen won her second UAAP Season MVP, while Solomon emerged as the Season 86 Finals MVP. Galanza led Creamline to another All-Filipino title and bagged the Finals MVP.
READ: De Brito embraces higher expectations for Alas Pilipinas
University of the East rising star Casiey Dongallo is still recovering from an arm injury but she’s part of the long-term plan.
Belen, Solomon, and Galanza are joining Challenge Cup Best Setter Jia De Guzman and Best Opposite Spiker Angel Canino as well as Sisi Rondina, Eya Laure, Fifi Sharma, Thea Gagate, Dawn Macandili-Catindig, Cherry Nunag, Dell Palomata, Faith Nisperos, Jennifer Nierva, Arah Panique, Julia Coronel, and Vanie Gandler.
The team recently went to South Korea for a friendly game with Daegu.