SYDNEY — Excitement, not exhaustion, continues to fuel Alas Pilipinas Girls as the team pushes through a grueling journey to the FIVB Volleyball Girls’ U17 World Championship in Chile.
Ellen Rayco and Princess Khaira Manzano of National University, Taj Arkhea Teves and Megan Yesha Hernandez of the University of Santo Tomas, Resty Jane Olaguir of Ateneo de Manila University and the rest of the Philippine squad remained in high spirits as they boarded the third flight of their trip Tuesday, traveling from Sydney to Santiago.
The tournament will be held from Aug. 6 to 16 in Santiago, San Felipe and Los Andes.
Hernandez, who has taken on extra responsibilities off the court as team captain by gathering documents, picking up snacks and helping the coaches keep the squad organized, said the demanding journey has only made the team stronger.
“Kahit sobra na yung pagod, mayroong kakalabasan na maganda. Kahit pagod na pagod, sulit pa rin ’yon kasi malaki naman po ’yung makukuha naming blessings,” Hernandez said. (Even though we’re extremely tired, something good will come out of it. The exhaustion is worth it because we know great blessings will come from this experience.)
“The journey has been long, but it has brought us closer together and given us more time to bond as a team,” she added.
Backed by the Philippine Olympic Committee, the Philippine Sports Commission and Asics, the Philippines will compete in Pool B alongside world No. 1 China, Mexico, Peru, Tunisia and Venezuela.
Olaguir, who helped Alas Pilipinas finish fifth in last year’s Asian Women’s U16 Volleyball Championship to secure the country’s first berth in the U17 world championship, said the team is eager to make the most of the opportunity.
“I’m excited to play and gain experiences that I can bring back to our national team and my school,” Olaguir said.
“The trip has been exhausting because it’s so long, but our excitement is even greater because we know we’ll learn and gain so much from this tournament,” she added.
The young setter said the team’s chemistry has continued to grow throughout the journey.
“Whenever someone feels drained or bored, we talk to each other, and that has strengthened our connection as teammates,” she said.
The Philippines climbed to No. 25 in the FIVB world rankings after its breakthrough campaign at last year’s Asian U16 Championship in Amman, Jordan, highlighted by victories over Iran, Hong Kong and Japan.
“We’ll do our best to help raise the Philippines’ place in the FIVB world rankings,” Olaguir said.
The Philippine roster also includes Sharina Rhyza Lleses of King’s Montessori School, Cristina Madela Gale of Bacolod Tay Tung High School, Caera Celis of St. John’s Institute Bacolod, Jhenica Sadia of Ateneo, Nadeth Faye Herbon of Leyte National High School, Jello Andrea Mauricio of San Felipe Neri Catholic School, and National University standouts Jhaynna Love Bulandres, Irish May Mahinay and Frances Dianne Ramos.
Pool A features host Chile, Czechia, Egypt, Thailand, Türkiye and the United States.
World No. 2 Japan headlines Pool C with Argentina, Brazil, Croatia, Spain and Poland.
Third-ranked Italy leads Pool D, which also includes South Korea, Algeria, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Canada. PR
