UST GOLDEN Spikers star Josh Ybañez and opposite hitter Al-Bukharie Sali return to their national duties for Alas Pilipinas in the first leg of the 2026 Men’s SEA V Cup in Candon City, Ilocos Sur from July 15-19.
Middle blocker Trevor Valera and open hitter JJ Macam were named to the Alas Pilipinas pool but were not included in the roster for the first leg.
Coming off a bronze medal finish in Season 88, the España core will hope to make their mark for the national team, which aims to build upon its momentum after its historic win in the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship and podium in the 2025 SEA Games.
Other UAAP stars who were selected in the 14-man roster include Season 88 Best Libero Vennie Ceballos and Lirick Mendoza from FEU, NU setter Greg Anchetta and Ateneo captain Jian Salarzon.
On the women’s side, former Golden Tigresses star Eya Laure is the lone Thomasian delegate in the 22-player pool, which consists mostly of members of the iconic championship-winning lineups of the NU Lady Bulldogs and DLSU Lady Green Spikers, including Bella Belen, Angel Canino and Amie Provido.
After not qualifying for the games in 2022, the Alas women’s squad bagged silver at the 2025 AVC Women’s Nations Cup and placed third at the 2025 SEA Games.
The women’s team will also take the court for the SEA V Cup, from July 31 to Aug. 2 in Hanoi, Vietnam for Leg 1 and again on Aug. 7-9 in Chiang Mai Thailand for Leg 2.
Both Alas Pilipinas squads will then face other Asian nations at the Okazaki Central Park General Gymnasium and Park Arena Komaki in Aichi Prefecture, Nagoya, Japan, from Sept. 16 to Oct. 3. F
