Alas Pilipinas invites NCAA stars Vanessa Sarie, Zam Nolasco to join national pool

Vanessa Sarie of Colegio de San Juan de Letran and MVP frontrunner Zam Nolasco of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde have been called on to join the Alas Pilipinas Women pool.

Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) president Tonyboy Liao revealed the development on Sunday after witnessing firsthand the clash between the Lady Knights and the Lady Blazers in Game 1 of the NCAA Season 101 women’s volleyball finals at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

READ MORE | NCAA: Letran hands Benilde first finals loss in five seasons in Game 1 thriller

"We have already a list of invitation for the Alas team. Si Nolasco ng Benilde saka si Sarie ng Letran. We already sent the letters, that’s why I also came here to watch," Liao told reporters.

(We have already a list of invitation for the Alas team. Nolasco of Benilde and Sarie of Letran. We already sent the letters, that’s why I also came here to watch.)

Nolasco and Sarie have emerged as two of the league’s top rising stars, and their inclusion in the national team pool comes as no surprise.

The 6-foot Benilde standout, the top middle blocker last year, consistently delivers big numbers for the Taft squad this year, including a team-high 21 points in the finals opener. Despite her heroics, the Lady Blazers fell with a 25-17, 23-25, 25-20, 14-25, 11-15 loss, suffering their first finals defeat in the last five seasons.

Making life difficult for Benilde on the other side of the net was Letran's sophomore outside spiker Sarie.

The reigning Rookie of the Year poured in 19 points, including the game-winning spike, and grabbed 17 receptions in that Game 1 stunner, helping the Lady Knights inch closer to a potential first title in 27 years. 

But Liao said Nolasco and Sarie still have to fight for their spots on Alas head coach Tai Bundit's final roster for the upcoming international tournaments. 

In Alas, they will join the likes of Jia De Guzman, Eya Laure, Bella Belen, Vanie Gandler, and fellow collegiate stars Angel Canino, Shaina Nitura, and Amie Provido. 

"They’re in the pool already. Bahala na si Coach Tai during the training kung they will make the final 14," Liao added.

"But definitely, we’re gonna make a 25-man pool, halo from the UAAP, from the NCAA, and then the PVL. 25 players sa pool."

(They're in the pool already. It will be up to Coach Tai during the training if they will make the final 14... But definitely, we’re gonna make a 25-man pool, a mix of players from the UAAP, from the NCAA, and then the PVL. 25 players in the pool.)

—JMB, GMA News