The Jia de Guzman-led Alas Pilipinas core. File photo from AVC
MANILA – Alas Pilipinas men and women squads will have tall tasks ahead of them after the pools for the group stage of the 20th Asian Games volleyball tournaments were revealed on Thursday.
The Alas Women's team were drawn in Pool B with nine-time Asiad champions China and Kazakhstan.
The women's squad is making a return to the continental competition for the first time since the 2018 edition in Jakarta, Indonesia.
In their last appearance at the Asian Games, the women's team finished eighth overall.
READ: Jia de Guzman-led Alas core returns as Taka Minowa appointed nat'l team head coach
Alas Women will be led by team captain Jia De Guzman and mentored by new Japanese head coach Taka Minowa in their comeback to Asiad.
De Guzman, Dawn Catindig, Jen Nierva, Dell Palomata, Thea Gagate, Mars Alba, Justine Jazareno, Bella Belen, Vanie Gandler, Erika Santos, Eya Laure, Nina Ytang, Alyssa Solomon, Arah Panique, Shaira Jardio, Celine Marsh and Vange Alinsug are among the players who have joined the team in training.
Former Alas standout Jaja Santiago (Sachi Minowa), who is also the wife of coach Taka, has been present in the women's squad's training.
Santiago was among the volleyball players who suited up for Alas Women in the 2018 edition held in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Pool A is composed of 2022 silver medalist Japan, Indonesia and Nepal, while Pool C includes Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Thailand, Chinese-Taipei, Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia.
Pool D has Vietnam, South Korea, Hong Kong and Qatar.
READ: Asian Games buildup continues for Alas Pilipinas Women
Alas Women will compete in the SEA V Cup in Vietnam from August 1 to 3, then in Thailand from August 7 to 9 before Asiad.
As for the men's side, they are also grouped with 2022 silver medalist China, alongside 2018 silver medalist South Korea, and 2018 bronze medalist Chinese-Taipei in Pool D.
Host Japan is part of Pool A with Pakistan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, while defending champion Iran is in Pool B with Indonesia, Thailand and Kyrgyzstan.
Pool C is composed of Qatar, India, Vietnam, and Hong Kong.
Italian head coach Angiolino Frigoni will still be calling the shots for Alas Men, looking to carry the momentum from its bronze medal finish at the SEA Games and its campaign at the FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championships last year.
Alas Men aim to improve in this year's continental competition, following their 13th place finish in the 2022 Asiad in Hangzhou, China.
The women's competition will take place from September 16 to 22, while the men's tournament is scheduled from September 27 to October 3.