Alas Pilipinas veterans lead new generation at Asian Games

Alas Pilipinas women huddle during a timeout in the SEA V Cup.–SAVA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — From the Philippine women’s volleyball team that competed in the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia, only Dawn Macandili-Catindig and Jia De Guzman remain in the program, this time leading a new generation of national team stars.

Catindig and De Guzman, both Asian Games debutants eight years ago, urged their younger Alas Pilipinas Women teammates to embrace the moment as they return to the Games starting next week in Aichi-Nagoya.

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“I think the difference is that back then, we were the young ones,” Catindig said in Filipino. “Now, we’re the ones helping the younger players and figuring out how we can help them prepare mentally, especially when we’re up against bigger teams.

“We just want them to embrace the experience. Win or lose, the experience is really what we hold on to.”

Catindig and De Guzman are guiding Asian Games first-timers Eya Laure, Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon, Niña Ytang, Angel Canino, Dell Palomata, Erika Santos, Mars Alba, Thea Gagate, Amie Provido and Justine Jazareno.

“We’re just continuing with our preparation and doing our best despite all the challenges,” Catindig said.

The veteran libero said the team has been thriving under Japanese coach Taka Minowa, the husband of Jaja Santiago-Minowa, after winning a historic silver medal in the second leg of the SEA V Cup last month.

“Under Coach Taka, it’s pretty much the same approach, especially when it comes to playing internationally,” Catindig said. “His strategy as a coach is really to strengthen our basic skills, particularly our serve-receive and defense. So that’s what we’ve been working on.”

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Alas will face China, which is seeking a third straight Asian Games title, and Kazakhstan in Pool B.

Catindig hopes the Philippines can carry its confidence into its match against Kazakhstan, which Alas defeated in the 2025 AVC Women’s Cup on the way to a runner-up finish.

“We’ve beaten Kazakhstan before, so I think it’s possible for us to do it again,” Catindig said.

“I think what we’ll hold on to is the advantage we have within our own team. We’ll really study our opponents so that even when we face bigger teams, we can still find ways to use our strengths to our advantage.”