Youth will take center stage for the Philippine men’s national football team when it begins its campaign in the inaugural ASEAN Hyundai Cup after head coach Carles Cuadrat named a squad featuring several new faces alongside a core of experienced internationals.

With a number of regulars unavailable due to club commitments, the Philippines will rely on a younger roster as it aims to build on its semifinal finish in the 2024 edition of Southeast Asia’s premier men’s football tournament.

Among those receiving opportunities are forwards Raphael Ritarita, Andres Aldeguer, Aarran Long, and Martini Rey, goalkeeper Enrico Mangaoang, defenders Jaime Rosquillo and John Lucero, midfielder Gavin Muens, and overseas-based prospects Noah Leddel and Kenji Nishioka.

Ritarita, 19, arrives after playing for Crown Legacy in MLS Next Pro in the United States, while Mangaoang has been making his mark with UMAK-Aguilas in the local football scene.

Despite the influx of fresh talent, the squad will still lean on several familiar names.

Midfield playmaker Sandro Reyes headlines the returning core along with Javier Mariona, Jarvey Gayoso, Cole Mrowka, Andrei Leipold, and Santi Rublico.

The defense will be marshaled by veteran Daisuke Sato, with Christian Rontini, Adrian Ugelvik, Scott Woods, and Rosquillo providing additional cover at the back.

Pocholo Bugas and Oskari Kekkonen strengthen the midfield, while Patrick Deyto and Quincy Kammeraad give the Philippines experienced options in goal after Kammeraad’s impressive showing during the team’s 2024 semifinal run.

Several established national team players, however, will miss the tournament due to club commitments.

The Philippines opens its Group B campaign against Myanmar on July 28 at New Clark City Athletics Stadium in Capas, Tarlac.

The Filipinos will then travel to Vientiane to face Laos on Aug. 1 before returning home to host group favorite Thailand on Aug. 4. They conclude the group stage on Aug. 8 against Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur.

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BATANGAS CITY — Even before making her much-awaited Premier Volleyball League debut, Lams Lamina had already won over Galeries Tower head coach Aying Esteban with her work ethic and eagerness to learn.

Esteban revealed that since joining the Highrisers, Lamina has been one of the team’s most attentive learners, constantly seeking guidance from the coaching staff and her veteran teammates as she works to improve her game and familiarize herself with the team’s system.

“Kahit sa training, tanong siya nang tanong sa mga teammates niya, sa amin, kung ano ang nangyayari,” said Esteban.

“‘Yun ang maganda sa kanya, hindi siya nagsasarili. Kumbaga, lagi siyang ano na matuto doon sa team namin.”

Lamina made her much-anticipated preseason debut for Galeries Tower on Saturday night, providing steady minutes behind team captain Julia Coronel as the Highrisers outlasted Farm Fresh, 25-17, 24-26, 25-19, 26-24, at the Batangas City Sports Center here.

The former National University standout recorded seven excellent sets, capably directing the Highrisers’ second unit and ensuring the team maintained its offensive rhythm whenever the starters went to the bench.

(C) PVL Images

Lamina also displayed remarkable poise in crunch time. She first set up Lycha Ebon for the go-ahead attack that gave Galeries Tower a 25-24 lead before delivering a perfectly placed one-handed set to Roselle Baliton, who hammered home the match-clinching quick attack.

While pleased with Lamina’s early showing, Esteban emphasized that the 24-year-old still has plenty to learn, particularly when it comes to running the Highrisers’ offensive system with greater consistency.

“Meron pa ring mga sa system namin na kailangan niya i-adapt pa, pero siyempre sa process pa rin ‘yun,” said Esteban.

Esteban, who took over as Galeries Tower head coach midway through the season-ending All-Filipino Conference, is encouraged by the direction the Highrisers are taking as the team continues to build chemistry with its revamped roster.

Still, despite the promising start, he stressed that the preseason is all about growth and hopes the team will continue building on its progress with every match.

“Ang laki, ang laki na ng changes. Ang laking pagbabago sa mentality, pagdating sa training. Natutuwa ako kasi hindi sila nagsasawa sa kung anong ginagawa namin. Grateful ako sa kanila sa ganoong ginagawa nila sa team namin.”

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BATANGAS CITY — AC Miner is once again embracing a familiar challenge, and just as she has done before, she isn’t shying away from the opportunity to reinvent herself for the good of the team.

Returning to the ZUS Coffee lineup after missing the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference due to a shin injury, Miner has taken on a new role, transitioning from middle blocker to opposite spiker as the Thunderbelles continue to reshape their rotation.

“I’m accepting it well,” Miner said when asked about the position switch.

The move is a familiar one for Miner, who also played both middle blocker and opposite spiker during her final season at Ateneo de Manila University under Brazilian head coach Sergio Veloso in UAAP Season 87.

With Thea Gagate, Riza Nogales, Zam Nolasco, and fourth overall pick Nicole Ong giving ZUS Coffee plenty of depth in the middle, head coach Jerry Yee decided to maximize Miner’s versatility by shifting her to the opposite position.

The move also serves a long-term purpose. With veteran opposite spiker Jovelyn Gonzaga entering the latter stages of her illustrious career, Yee sees Miner as someone who can gradually provide added depth while preparing for a bigger role in the future.

“Ano naman eh, as long as willing ‘yung bata. Kasi ‘yung mga middles natin, hindi natin ma-maximize if tatlo sila or apat; may hindi maglalaro. So talagang merong isa na magsi-switch talaga,” said Yee.

“Nagta-transition na rin naman ‘yung mga opposite natin, so paunti-unti, nagpapakabata tayo kumbaga,” he added.

While Miner is confident she can grow into the role, she admitted the transition remains a work in progress, particularly when it comes to her floor defense — an area that requires a significant adjustment after spending most of her career as a middle blocker.

“So, ginagawa ko lang ‘yung trabaho ko sa depensa since ‘yun naman siguro ‘yung kulang ko as a middle — ‘yung defense sa back row. So, ‘yun pa rin ‘yung kailangan kong trabahuhin. Overall, well accepted naman ‘yung new role,” said the former Rookie of the Conference.

Fortunately for Miner, she has one of the country’s most accomplished opposite spikers guiding her through the transition.

Gonzaga’s experience has proven invaluable as Miner learns the nuances of the position.

(C) PVL Images

“I’m accepting it well, since ‘yung kapalitan ko, si Ate Jov (Gonzaga), isa sa mga veterans,” she said.

“Sobrang mahalaga kasi ni Ate Jov. Mas matagal na siyang naglalaro kaysa sa akin. With the help of the other veterans din, nagkakaroon ako ng kumpiyansa kasi hine-help nila ako para mas makatulong sa team at ma-boost din ‘yung confidence ko,” she added.

Yee believes the position switch could become a major boost for the Thunderbelles.

If Miner fully adapts to the role, ZUS Coffee would gain another legitimate scoring option on the wing while fielding a bigger, more versatile frontline capable of matching up better against the league’s top outside hitters.

Although Miner is still adjusting, Yee has been encouraged by her early performances, particularly her impact at the net during the Thunderbelles’ 2-0 start in the 2026 PVL On Tour Showdown.

“At least na-address natin. ‘Yung blocking, talagang malaki na improvement. Siyempre, maraming butas, like ‘yung floor defense natin; kailangan maalaga tayo. ‘Yung third ball natin kailangan maayos din,” said Yee.

Still, the ZUS Coffee mentor emphasized that Miner’s transition remains a long-term project. While the early signs have been encouraging, he believes patience and continued development will ultimately determine the success of the move.

“May pros and cons pero ganun talaga, we have to work.”

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