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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Volleyball devider 'The fruit of Alas Women's labor' – Minowa on PH's historic silver finish in SEA V Cup

'The fruit of Alas Women's labor' – Minowa on PH's historic silver finish in SEA V Cup

Published Aug 10, 2026 02:26 pm

At A Glance

  • It seems Alas Pilipinas is in good hands under coach Taka Minowa following its historic silver medal finish at the expense of Indonesia, 25-13, 23-25, 25-19, 33-31, in the 2026 SEA V Cup Leg 2 last Sunday, Aug. 9.
Alas Pilipinas (SAVA)
Alas Pilipinas (SAVA)
It seems Alas Pilipinas is in good hands under coach Taka Minowa following its historic silver medal finish at the expense of Indonesia, 25-13, 23-25, 25-19, 33-31, in the 2026 SEA V Cup Leg 2 last Sunday, Aug. 9.
But for the newly-minted Alas mentor, it was the hard work of each squad member, including their mother club and the whole coaching staff, that was key to their recent feat.
“I believe this moment is not only about the players who are with us in the national team pool,” Minowa, husband of one of the country’s top hitters Jaja Santiago (Sachi Minowa), wrote on his social media post.
“It is the result of the hard work of so many players, coaches, and clubs who have continued to develop and make Philippine volleyball more competitive over the years,” he added.
The 34-year-old tactician also credited all the players and coaches – from school to the professional ranks – whose contributions helped them build the current level of Philippine women’s volleyball.
“I hope everyone can be proud of the players and coaches who gave their time, effort, and heart to this team,” he concluded. “This achievement is the result of everyone’s hard work, and I’m very grateful to be part of this journey with all of you.”
Prior to their silver finish, the Nationals went winless in the first leg before bouncing back in Leg 2 where their twin victories was highlighted by a 2-25, 25-23, 25-21, 25-22 upset win over perennial Southeast Asian Games podium finisher Vietnam.
Apart from the team’s feat, the country also secured individual honors with Eya Laure being named as one of the Best Outside Spikers while Alyssa Solomon bagged the Best Opposite Spiker plum.
“Para sa Bayan!!” Laure captioned on her social media post of her photo carrying her award and the 1st runner-up trophy.
Month later it will a much tougher task ahead for the two Filipina awardees, alongside spikers Bella Belen, Angel Canino, Vanie Gandler, and Shai Nitura, to list a few – as they named as part of the Alas pool for the coming Aichi-Nagoya 20th Asian Games in Japan.
Minowa is also appointed as the podium-hungry crew’s head coach in the quadrennial meet, where the Philippines, a two-time fourth place finisher in 1962 and 1966 editions, is bracketed in Group B together with reigning champion China and Kazakhstan.

Related Tags

Alas Pilipinas SEA V Cup Taka Minowa Eya Laure Alyssa Solomon Bella Belen Jia De Guzman
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