THE ALAS Pilipinas Girls are preparing for a challenging campaign in the FIVB Volleyball Girls’ U17 World Championship, with managing fatigue and fast recovery among their first tests as they embark on a grueling 32-hour journey from Manila to Chile.

The Philippine delegation departed Monday for the 24-nation tournament scheduled from August 6 to 16, led by Megan Yesha Hernandez of the University of Santo Tomas, National University’s Xyz Ellen Rayco, Sharina Rhyza Lleses of King’s Montessori School, Cristina Madela Gale of Bacolod Tay Tung, and Caera Celis of St. John’s Institute Bacolod City.

Head coach Edwin Leyva said the long trip could provide the team an opportunity to build stronger chemistry and mentally prepare before facing the world’s best young volleyball teams.

“Hopefully with the long flight medyo makabawi-bawi sa bonding yung players,” Leyva said. “We didn’t have a lot of time to prepare for this, but we did our best in the short time we had, and I believe in this team.”

The coach, who guided the Philippines to a fifth-place finish in the Asian Volleyball Confederation U16 Women’s Championship that secured the country’s qualification to the world tournament, expressed confidence in the squad’s potential.

“We have good players, and we are confident we can do better than our last tournament,” Leyva said.

He also appealed for continued support from Filipino fans as the young national team competes on the international stage.

“We hope the country would support us, pray for us. Kami naman we’ll give our best and put up a good fight for the country,” he added.

Backed by the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, and Asics, Alas Pilipinas features players from top school programs, including Resty Jane Olaguir and Jhenica Sadia of Ateneo, Taj Arkhea Teves of UST, Nadeth Faye Herbon of Leyte National High School, and Jello Andrea Mauricio of San Felipe Neri Catholic School.

The Philippines, ranked No. 25 in the world, is grouped in Pool B alongside top-ranked China, Mexico, Peru, Tunisia, and Venezuela.

Host Chile leads Pool A with Czechia, Egypt, Thailand, Turkiye, and the United States, while world No. 2 Japan headlines Pool C with Argentina, Brazil, Croatia, Spain, and Poland.

Third-ranked Italy anchors Pool D, which includes Korea, Algeria, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and Chinese Taipei.