UAAP rookies join Alas Pilipinas for AVC Nations Cup

UAAP rookies Shaina Nitura and Cla Loresco are among the 16 players selected for the Alas Pilipinas women's volleyball team competing in the AVC Women's Nations Cup in Vietnam from June 7 to 14.

This marks the first national team stint for both Nitura, the Adamson University Rookie of the Year, and Loresco, a freshman from Far Eastern University.

They join established collegiate stars and former Alas Pilipinas players such as Bella Belen, Angel Canino, Jia De Guzman, and Dawn Macandili-Catindig.

Alas Pilipinas head coach Jorge De Brito is banking on the core of last year's squad, including reigning league Best Setter and captain Jia De Guzman and Best Opposite Spiker Angel Canino.

The team, which also includes mainstays Dawn Macandili-Catindig and fellow libero Jen Nierva, landed safely in Vietnam on Wednesday morning.

Alas Pilipinas aims to sustain and even surpass last year's historic medal finish, which was the country's first AVC medal in 63 years.

The team will depart for Vietnam on June 4, with a final 14-man lineup to be determined there.

Other players on the roster include Thea Gagate, Fifi Sharma, Dell Palomata, Leila Cruz, Eya Laure, Vanie Gandler, Alyssa Solomon, Julia Coronel, and Lams Lamina.