Brooke Van Sickle, MJ Phillips Lead Revamped Alas Pilipinas Roster for 2025 VTV Cup
Alas Pilipinas, the Philippines’ women’s national volleyball team, has officially released its fortified 17-woman roster for the upcoming 2025 VTV Women’s International Cup, scheduled from June 28 to July 5 in Vinh Phuc, Vietnam.
Leading the charge are Filipino-American volleyball standouts Brooke Van Sickle, MJ Phillips, and Tia Andaya, all set to make their much-anticipated debut in the red, blue, and white.
Star-Studded Debuts and Returns Bolster the Squad
Two-time PVL Most Valuable Player Van Sickle is poised to headline the reloaded Alas Pilipinas roster. After completing federation switch requirements last May—following the push from Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) president Ramon “Tats” Suzara—Van Sickle and PVL Finals MVP MJ Phillips can now represent the country in international play.
Joining them is fellow Filipino-American and Choco Mucho setter Andaya, who will also make her debut.
The team also welcomes back Maddie Madayag, marking her national team return since the 2019 Southeast Asian Games. She reenters a formidable middle-blocker rotation featuring Fifi Sharma and Thea Gagate, both of whom retain their spots.
Team captain Jia De Guzman returns to steer the playmaking duties, alongside defense anchor Dawn Macandili-Catindig. They’ll be joined by rising stars from De La Salle University: Mars Alba, Leila Cruz, Alleiah Malaluan, Amie Provido, and Justine Jazareno.
Other notable returnees include Eya Laure, Vanie Gandler, Dell Palomata, and Lams Lamina, who all played vital roles in securing a silver medal for the Philippines in the 2025 AVC Women’s Nations Cup.
Notable Absences for Rest
UAAP heavyweights such as three-time MVP Bella Belen, Season 86 Rookie-MVP Angel Canino, Rookie of the Year Shaina Nitura, as well as veterans Julia Coronel and Jen Nierva, are not part of the current lineup.
According to head coach Jorge Souza de Brito, the omission was a strategic decision to give these stars a much-needed break after their intense participation in both the UAAP Season 87 and the AVC Nations Cup.
“They are taking a break,” De Brito told SPIN.ph.
“After the UAAP, all of them joined straight to train in the national team,” De Brito told One Sports. “So for sure, they need a break. They went straight from training to the Finals.”
“It’s our plan to keep them safe and also have them ready for the next competition—we still have the SEA V.League,” he added.
Lineup Breakdown: Height, Power, and Depth
The frontline will be stacked with attacking firepower from Van Sickle, Laure, Gandler, Cruz, and debutant Malaluan, with Cruz serving as the lone natural opposite hitter.
Middle-blocking duties will be handled by a robust crew: Palomata, Gagate, Sharma, Madayag, Phillips, and Amie Provido—an impressive mix of height and skill.
At the setter position, De Guzman will be supported by a trio of young playmakers: Mars Alba, Lams Lamina, and Andaya. For floor defense, Justine Jazareno joins Macandili-Catindig to fortify the team’s back row.
Coach De Brito will trim the current pool down to 14 players, with three reserves to be named closer to the tournament start. This tournament serves as a crucial step in the Philippines’ campaign to build international consistency ahead of the 2025 Southeast Asian Games.
Tournament Format and Groupings
Alas Pilipinas is drawn into Pool A alongside host country Vietnam, Australia, and China’s Sichuan Wuliangchun Women’s Volleyball Club. The team aims to surpass Choco Mucho’s bronze finish in 2023 and avoid a repeat of NU’s eighth-place result.
Here’s the preliminary round schedule for the Philippines’ women’s national volleyball team:
- June 29 (Sunday), 8:00 PM – Alas Pilipinas vs. Vietnam
- June 30 (Monday), 5:30 PM – Alas Pilipinas vs. Sichuan Wuliangchun (China)
- July 1 (Tuesday), 3:00 PM – Alas Pilipinas vs. Australia
Note: The VTV Cup is a non-AVC sanctioned invitational tournament, meaning FIVB eligibility rules do not apply. Hence, Fil-foreign players like Van Sickle, Phillips, and Andaya are allowed to compete in this event. However, for future AVC or FIVB-sanctioned competitions, they must still secure official clearance and complete all documentary requirements.
