MANILA, Philippines – For the AVC Challenge Cup for Women 2024, departing head coach of the Alas Pilipinas Women Jorge Edson Souza De Brito would have preferred to have Creamline players in his pool.

“Creamline players received an invitation. At the Cignal-PNVF cooperation ceremony on Wednesday, De Brito told reporters, “It’s not that they weren’t included; they were invited but they declined.”

“They are unable to join the national team at this time, but perhaps they will in the future.” Normally, the Cool Smashers wouldn’t refuse the opportunity to serve on the national team. But this time, they had to say no.

Team sources who asked to remain anonymous said that Creamline’s parent firm, Rebisco, had long been planning a unique prize for the Cool Smashers’ double victory from the previous year.

The prize? a journey to Spain. It is well known that applying for a category C short-stay visa to Spain is a time-consuming process. The crew scheduled the trip for May of this year after receiving consent earlier in the year. Just one week has passed since the Philippine National Volleyball Federation and the Premier Volleyball League partnered to create Alas Pilipinas Women.

The journey would ultimately fall on the same day as the continental meet, which was set for the Rizal Memorial Coliseum from May 22 to 29. As a result, Creamline will only be represented by Jia De Guzman. Conversely, Sisi Rondina and Cherry Nunag were lent to Alas by Choco Mucho. Rebisco is still dedicated to supporting Alas’s men’s and women’s teams.

For the AVC Challenge Cup, Bella Belen and Angel Canino have committed to the Philippine women’s volleyball team.

The dedication of two young collegiate talents, Bella Belen from National University and Angel Canino from De La Salle University, to the women’s national volleyball team is a significant step for Philippine volleyball. This increases the team’s potency as they prepare for the esteemed AVC Challenge Cup, which will take place at the legendary Rizal Memorial Stadium from May 22 to 29.

At a formal nickname reveal event on Wednesday, none other than Tats Suzara, the renowned President of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF), revealed the exciting news. Suzara announced the name this strong group will take to combat with a tangible excitement that echoed through the corridors.

The ranks of the national squad will bulge with a constellation of collegiate talents from several prestigious universities under the wise leadership of head coach Jorge Souza de Brito. Prodigious Alyssa Solomon from NU, unstoppable Casiey Dongallo from UE, and the dynamic pair of Thea Gagate and Julia Coronel—both alumni of La Salle’s hallowed halls—will also be participating in the competition.

But the talent assembly line doesn’t stop there. Following the much awaited UAAP finals, the national team is looking forward to Solomon and Belen’s arrival, as their performances on the court have hearts racing and tongues wagging throughout the archipelago.

Professionals have also responded to the call; seasoned activists Jia De Guzman of Denso and Sisi Rondina of Choco Mucho have pledged their unshakable support for the national cause. Their extensive background and resilient nature are anticipated to offer a priceless stabilizing impact.

The unstoppable Dawn Macandili-Catindig and Vanie Gandler of Cignal, the dependable Cherry Nunag of Choco Mucho, the dynamic team of Faith Nisperos and Fifi Sharma from Akari, the unstoppable Eya Laure and Jennifer Nierva of Chery Tiggo, and the seasoned Dell Palomata, a pillar of PLDT’s ranks, round out the formidable roster.

The Philippine women’s national volleyball team has an abundance of wealth at their disposal, which puts them in a position to leave their mark on the history of the sport. A country clutches its collective breath as the clock moves closer to the AVC Challenge Cup, daring to hope for triumph on the global arena.