NO promises.

The core of the Alas Pilipinas team remained hopeful yet tight-lipped on their chances in the tough Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Women’s Cup from June 6 to 14 in Candon City.

From head coach Shaq delos Santos to key player Alyssa Valdez, they stressed that the main focus right now is to form the best team possible and prepare for the event that drew the toughest teams in the region.

“Ang goal muna is pano mapalakas ang team natin,” said Delos Santos in Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the Philippine Sports Commission media room.

Delos Santos said the composition of the team has yet to be finalized and will be culled from the current 20-player pool that includes Jovelyn Gonzaga, Ces Molina, and Valdez, all members of the 2019 SEA Games team.

“Right now, pool pa lang ang meron kami,” added Delos Santos, who was joined at the weekly forum by Valdez, Gonzaga, Molina and Nina Ytang.

Valdez, who did not hesitate answering the call of the national team, said Filipinos can expect the best from Alas Pilipinas.

“We’re very, very humbled and excited to be part of the national team again and represent the country with pride,” she said.

“But realistically, we cannot predict anything. All we can do now is to prepare well. Basta to represent the country with honor and pride,” added Valdez in the forum presented by San Miguel Corporation, PSC, Philippine Olympic Committee, MILO, and the country’s 24/7 sports app ArenaPlus.

Gonzaga, who has juggled national stints in indoor and beach volleyball, aired the same level of excitement at being able to represent the country once more.

“Ang sarap ng feeling na makabalik sa national team. Excited kami. Once the country calls for your service nandito kami. Ang hirap tanggihan ang national team,” she said.

Like her head coach and Valdez, still regarded as the team’s heart and soul, Gonzaga kept her expectations to a minimum.

“Ang focus pa lang is the preparation. Wala pang expectations,” she said.

Also in the pool that is expected to troop to Candon to train next week are Trisha Tubu, Ara Galang, Royse Tubino, Tots Carlos, Kyle Negrito, Kyla Atienza, Alyssa Eroa, Clo Mondoñedo, Thea Gagate, and collegiate players Tin Ubaldo, Jaz Ellarina, Cla Loresco, Lara Mae Silva, Vanessa Sarie, Natalie Estreller, Clarisse Loresco, Jonna Perdido and Adamson’s Lhouriz Tuddao.

“Maraming players na na-invite pero sila ang nag-commit na represent ang country natin,” said Delos Santos.

Alas Pilipinas will be in Pool A along with Chinese Taipei, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Australia, and Uzbekistan, while reigning champion Vietnam banners Pool B with Kazakhstan, Iran, Indonesia, Hong Kong, and Lebanon.

“Basta yung sa bracket natin, one game at a time lang,” said Delos Santos.