After having to decline two prior invites, setter Mars Alba can finally call herself a member of Alas Pilipinas.
As Alas Pilipinas kicked off its two-day Invitationals, it also marked the debut of Choco Mucho setter Mars Alba into the national team program. Her debut came after captain Jia de Guzman headed back to Japan for the Denso Airybees.
So while Alas fell to the Hisamitsu Springs, they gained another top playmaker to accompany De Guzman, Julia Coronel, and Fil-Am Tia Andaya.
“It’s not a surprise. Every time you play good in the PVL, any player can come inside. So it’s just an option, because Choco Mucho is already out, and then I had the chance, and also I called her and asked if she’s available to join us, and it was a good experience,” head coach Jorge de Brito said following Alas’ 25-19, 25-16, 25-16 loss to Hisamitsu.
“Not only her, but all the good players. But since she comes, she had the chance to stay more time with us, and also with Juju, and all the players that we have. Remember, you have also Tia, so it’s also an option. [Gel] Cayuna is the best setter in this PVL [Reinforced Conference] so we are here for the best guys.”
This is actually Alba’s third invite into the program. Family matters prevented her during the All-Filipino Conference, while she prioritized Choco Mucho for the recently concluded Reinforced Conference.
Choco Mucho was eliminated early in the Reinforced Conference, which allowed for a successful invite. Simply put, it’s a delayed, but never denied opportunity for Alba.
“Ininvite po ako before pa eh…’yung last [All-Filipino] conference. Tapos nag-decline po ako kasi umuwi po ‘yung brother ko from Australia. And nung next na invitation na pangalawa [Reinforced Conference], hindi na ako inallow kasi mag-start na ‘yung conference. And ‘yun, ‘yung pangatlo, finally available and pinayagan na rin ako. So, ‘yun,” she recalls.
Alba herself was surprised by these invites, given her volleyball roots. Alba was a converted setter for La Salle after starting out as a spiker and libero.
“So hindi ko ini-expect na makakarating ako sa ganitong point. Pero ‘yun, grateful ako na nabigyan ako ng opportunity na ganito, na pangatlong beses na invite ulit ako ni Coach Jorge. And thank you sa kanila sir Tats [Suzara],” she said.
Meanwhile, new captain and libero Dawn Macandili-Catindig vouched for the setter’s fit, given their history in the PVL. The two played in F2 Logistics following Alba’s debut in the 2023 Invitational Conference.
“Naging teammate ko si Mars sa F2. So, alam ko na very stable na setter siya and hindi naman siya nahirapan na mag-adjust when she came in last week. Tiwala akong mag-aadjust siya,” said Macandili-Catindig.
Lasallian excellence
Mars Alba’s debut makes her the fifth Lasallian in the Alas Pilipinas program, following Catindig, Coronel, blockers Fifi Sharma and Thea Gagate, and wing spiker Angel Canino. Coronel is de Guzman’s original understudy, while Sharma and Gagate are Alas’ main middle blockers.
Likewise, Canino emerged as a top scorer during the AVC Challenge Cup, and their FIVB Volleyball Challenger Cup game against Vietnam.
“Kami, ako, grateful ako kay Coach Ramil din. Kasi siya talaga yung nag-hasa sa amin eh sa mga taga-Lasalle. Sobrang grateful kami kay Coach Ramil. Kung hindi din dahil sa kanya, hindi kami makakarating kung nasan kami ngayon,” Alba reflected.
Despite their familiarity, Alba knows they still need to form on-court chemistry. After all, she last played with the Coronel-Sharma-Gagate-Canino quartet in UAAP Season 85 in 2023. Likewise, it’s been a year since Alba and Catindig played together in the PVL.
“Okay naman siya kasi magkakakilala na rin kami. Pero kailangan pa rin talaga ng training. Kahit sabihin na nagkakasama na kami. Matagal na rin yung months na hindi kami nagkakasama. So training talaga ‘yung kailangan,” she reflected.
Mars Alba’s debut takes place amid Alas Pilipinas’ two-game exhibitions against eight-time Japan V.League champs Hisamitsu. Right off the bat, it’s been a welcome experience, given the Springs’ high-level play.
Like Alba, Alas Pilipinas gets its share of learning experiences to build on.
“Sobrang importante talaga ng exposure na ganito. Kasi dito namin nga makikita ano pa talaga yung kulang ng team. Kasi if we stay in our bubble, wala na kaming growth na, wala nang room for growth,” reflects captain Catindig.
“If we fight against these top-caliber teams, mas madami pa kami matutunan, especially from them [Japan] kasi iba ‘yung style talaga ng international.”
Banner image courtesy of the Premier Volleyball League.