Who is the hidden "alas" of Alas Pilipinas in the upcoming 2024 AVC Challenge Cup?

All eyes are on Alas Pilipinas as the rebranded and retooled Philippine national team debut in AVC Challenge Cup for Women.

Anticipation and excitement are at their highest for the women’s national team, who will field some of the brightest stars in the UAAP and PVL.

[ALSO READ: Alas Pilipinas: Schedule for the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup for Women]

While fans debate on who will impress the most during the tournament itself, Alas players likewise have their own picks on who will be the “alas” or “ace” of the team.

For seasoned libero Dawn Macandili-Cantindig, it will be the young players in the squad who have yet to be scouted by opponents.

“Siguro for me, ang hidden alas [ay] ‘yung mga bata. Like si Angel [Canino], ‘yung mga college [like] sila Thea Gagate kasi ngayon lang sila makikita in the international scene,” Macandili-Catindig told One Sports. 

“Talagang aabangan nila and masu-surprise talaga sila,” she added.

[ALSO READ: Cignal's Dawn Macandili-Catindig steps up as vocal leader for Alas Pilipinas]

But for Eya Laure and Canino, the national team’s “alas” is no secret at this point. For them, it’s none other than newly-minted team captain Jia de Guzman.

“Hindi na siya hidden kasi alam naman ng lahat ayan si ate Jia. Since si ate Jia ‘yung magiging isang leader din namin na alam naman natin na super experienced and napaka-smart talaga na setter,” said Laure.

“Actually, parang hindi naman na siya hidden eh. For me, ‘yung alas talaga namin is si ate Jia Morado-de Guzman kasi we all know naman the setter works magically dapat to be able na maikot lahat ng spikers, magalaw ng maayos,” Canino added.

“With ate Jia kasi she likes to connect with everyone and ‘yun ‘yung sigurong alas namin this upcoming AVC kasi with that connection, malaki talagang tulong ‘yun sa team namin.”

[ALSO READ: ‘Basta para sa bayan, laban!’ | Angel Canino vows to go all out in dream stint for Alas Pilipinas]

This was the same sentiment shared by middle blocker Thea Gagate, who bared her excitement to be part of Alas Pilipinas.

“It’s the setter. Kumbaga ‘yung role nila sa loob ng court sila talaga ‘yung nagpapatakbo ng team, so if stable ‘yung setter, everyone will be stable.

But when you ask de Guzman herself, the answer should also come as no surprise given a certain someone's performance in the recently-concluded PVL All-Filipino Conference.

“Ako si Sisi [Rondina] kasi when they described it to us the first time as in angas, your best card, kahit anong pwede mong gawin with it,” said de Guzman.

“With Sisi so far, lahat ng ipagawa namin, nagagawa niya. Tsaka sobrang tapang niya mag-laro. May injury man, meron man nararamdaman, inuuna niya ‘yung team parati, so that’s another good card to have in our lineup na will help us achieve better results in the long run,” she added.

But whether it be the young players in the team or the veterans, it’s all about who is ready to step up each game for the national team, according to setter Julia Coronel.

“Lahat naman siguro kami [alas ng team] parang I guess pag dating sa laro it would really depend on who is going to step up each game kasi considering nga na sobrang limited lang na naging preparations namin,” said Coronel.

[ALSO READ: Julia Coronel seizes opportunity to learn from idol Jia De Guzman in Alas Pilipinas]

First up for the 63rd-ranked Philippines in the tournament will be the 59th-ranked Australia on Thursday, May 23 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila at 7:00 p.m.