UST Golden Spikers Josh Ybañez, Al-Bukharie Sali, and Trevor Valera have been named to the Alas Pilipinas men’s national team pool for the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, set for Sept. 19 to Oct. 4, 2026.
Ybañez, who is expected to suit up as a libero, returns to the national team after representing the Philippines in several international tournaments, including last year’s FIVB Men’s World Championship.
Sali also rejoins the national team pool after seeing action for Alas Pilipinas in the 2025 Southeast Asian Games.
Meanwhile, Valera earns his first-ever call-up to the national team pool.
Ybañez enters the pool fresh from reclaiming the UAAP Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in Season 88, becoming the only three-time UAAP men’s volleyball MVP in UST history.
The Golden Spikers concluded Season 88 with a bronze-medal finish after falling to eventual champion NU Bulldogs in the Final Four.
The three UST standouts are part of a roster headlined by Bryan Bagunas and Marck Espejo under returning Italian coach Angiolino Frigoni.
Also included in the men’s pool are Michaelo Buddin, Leo Ordiales, Peng Taguibolos, Owa Retamar, Adrian Villados, Vince Lorenzo, Kristofer Alejos, and five-time Spikers’ Turf MVP Jude Garcia, who is set to make his indoor debut for Alas Pilipinas.
Meanwhile, former UST Golden Tigresses captain Eya Laure is set to return to the Alas Pilipinas women’s pool after missing the AVC Women’s Volleyball Cup in Candon earlier this month.
Laure rejoins team captain Jia De Guzman and several national team veterans as the Philippines assembles its roster for the Asian Games.
The women’s pool also features Thea Gagate, Alyssa Solomon and Nina Ytang, the only holdovers from the squad that competed in the AVC Women’s Volleyball Cup.
Completing the women’s pool are Mars Alba, Bella Belen, Angel Canino, Dawn Catindig, Gel Cayuna, Vanie Gandler, Shaira Jardio, Justine Jazareno, Alleiah Malaluan, Jen Nierva, Shaina Nitura, Jeanette Panaga, Ara Panique, Dell Palomata, Amie Provido, Erika Santos, and Fifi Sharma.
The women’s team will be led by newly appointed head coach Taka Minowa in the continental meet.
