Leila Cruz (second from the right) now official part of Alas Pilipinas women’s training pool. -ALAS VOLLEY FACEBOOK
MANILA, Philippines — Leila Cruz has been added to the Alas Pilipinas pool after four players begged off ahead of the team’s busy 2025 calendar.
The Capital1 rookie had been training with the team in recent weeks. Her inclusion was confirmed by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation after Akari standouts Faith Nisperos and Eli Soyud withdrew their namesw from coach Jorge Souza De Brito’s 33-player wishlist.
READ: PVL: Leila Cruz ready to play bigger role for Capital1
Capital1 head coach Roger Gorayeb welcomed the opportunity for Cruz to grow through national team experience.
“I’m really happy for her—playing for the national team is every player’s dream. Out of so many athletes, she was given the opportunity, and that’s a big deal,” Gorayeb told Inquirer Sports. “When she comes back to us, the experience she gains there will be a huge help, especially in terms of her growth and maturity.”
Capital1’s Leila Cruz during the PVL All-Filipino Conference. –PVL IMAGES
Akari team manager Mozzy Ravena confirmed that both Nisperos and Soyud had formally asked to withdraw.
“Faith is injured. Eli wants to focus on the team (Akari),” Ravena told Inquirer Sports in a text message.
READ: Alas Pilipinas joins VTV Cup; Petro Gazz ‘didn’t meet deadline’
Creamline’s Tots Carlos and ZUS Coffee’s Chai Troncoso also reportedly begged off.
Despite the absence of the Akari pair, Fifi Sharma and Justine Jazareno remain active in training with national pool mainstays Jia De Guzman, Dawn Macandili-Catindig, Eya Laure, Dell Palomata, Jennifer Nierva, Julia Coronel, Vanie Gandler, and Thea Gagate.
Three-time UAAP MVP Bella Belen, setter Lams Lamina, Rookie of the Year Shaina Nitura, and Cla Loresco have also joined practices alongside MJ Phillips, Maddie Madayag, Jeanette Panaga, Mars Alba, and Tia Andaya.
READ: Alas Pilipinas joins VTV Cup; Petro Gazz ‘didn’t meet deadline’
De Brito is also expecting the arrival of Brooke Van Sickle, NU star Alyssa Solomon, and the La Salle trio of Angel Canino, Shevana Laput, and Amie Provido, who are currently on a recovery break.
Alas Pilipinas is eyeing to end a 20-year medal drought in the Southeast Asian Games later this year.
Before that, the national team will compete in the AVC Women’s Nations Cup (formerly the Challenge Cup) from June 7 to 14 in Hanoi, Vietnam, followed by the VTV International Cup from June 28 to July 5.
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Alas will also participate in two legs of the SEA V. League in July.
