PNVF intends to keep Alas Pilipinas squad intact with addition of Belen, Solomon, Dongallo

After copping a historic bronze medal in the AVC Challenge Cup on Wednesday, the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) said it is keen on keeping the current Alas Pilipinas squad intact and will add collegiate standouts in Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon, and Casiey Dongallo in the mix.

“The intention is to keep this team intact with additional athletes from the college ranks,” PNVF president Ramon “Tats” Suzara said in a statement on Thursday.

“It’s a breakthrough, it’s historic, and the obvious next step is to keep this team intact and make it stronger and much more competitive,” he added. 

“And next year, in the SEA (Southeast Asian) Games, I believe we’ll have a very strong fighting chance.”

The next edition of the SEA Games will be played in Thailand.

Belen and Solomon were originally named in the Alas pool for the AVC Challenge Cup but had to skip the tourney due to remaining school work, and rehabilitation and rest from the UAAP season which concluded.

Dongallo, meanwhile, was replaced by Arah Panique who shone in the game against Kazakhstan.

Alas Pilipinas will next participate in an exhibition match in Korea, the FIVB Challenger Cup, and the SEA V.League.

PNVF also reiterated its intention to keep head coach Jorge Souza De Brito as his FIVB contract expires on June 30.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News