Alas Pilipinas will miss the services of NU Lady Bulldogs Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon in the upcoming AVC Challenge Cup.
National University standouts Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon have begged off from Alas Pilipinas duties for the upcoming AVC Challenge Cup.
Philippine women’s national volleyball team head coach Jorge Souza De Brito confirmed the development to One Sports during their training on Friday, May 17.
“They will not join us now because they have small injuries they have to recover. Some of them they have to end the school time. They have to be ready for the draft and everything,” De Brito said.
“Also, they are resting and celebrating. I’m sure they want to join, but you have to agree that they have to rest also. It would be good if they can join, it would be perfect. By the way, we can respect [their decision].”
[ALSO READ: Alas Pilipinas: Schedule for the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup for Women]
Both Belen and Solomon recently completed a triumphant campaign with the Lady Bulldogs in the UAAP Season 86 on Wednesday, May 15, after defeating the UST Golden Tigresses in Game 2 of the Finals.
Aside from the two UAAP stars, the Alas Pilipinas will also miss the services of UE standout Casiey Dongallo, who is recuperating from a right wrist injury she sustained on Thursday, May 16.
Dongallo attended the training session of the national team, wearing a cast on her right forearm.
[ALSO READ: Casiey Dongallo sustains right wrist injury, set to sit out for Alas Pilipinas in AVC Challenge Cup]
De Brito confirmed that Arah Panique of NU will fill the void left by Dongallo.
@onesportsphl Rookie replacement coming in! NU Lady Bulldogs’ rookie Arah Panique will be replacing UE Lady Warriors’ Casiey Dongallo in Alas Pilipinas’ pool for the 2024 AVC Women’s Challenge Cup and is expected to join practice tomorrow, as per head coach Jorge de Brito. | via Jamie Velasco/One Sports Digital #OSOnTheSpot #AVCChallengeCup ? original sound - OneSportsPHL
Panique will join the 14-woman tricolor squad, bannered by Denso Airybees and Creamline setter Jia De Guzman, Choco Mucho's Sisi Rondina and Cherry Nunag, Chery Tiggo’s Eya Laure and Jennifer Nierva, Cignal's Vanie Gandler and Dawn Macandili-Catindig, PLDT’s Dell Palomata, Akari's Fifi Sharma and Faith Nisperos, as well as La Salle’s Angel Canino, Thea Gagate and Julia Coronel.
The AVC Challenge Cup is scheduled from May 22 to 29 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.