By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Alas Pilipinas women’s national volleyball team was just dealt with a major blow after the trio of Eya Laure, Jennifer Nierva, and Alyssa Solomon were downgraded from available to questionable when the FIVB Challenger Cup kicks off on July 4, 2024.
According to Alas Pilipinas head coach Jorge Souza de Brito, Solomon’s availability for the international volleyball tournament will be unsure due to her recent string of injuries.
Coming off a title-clinching campaign with the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs in the UAAP, Solomon had an exhausting season and even took the time off during the AVC Cup to receive more rehabilitation.
Although she committed to the team together with her NU teammate Bella Belen, Solomon has yet to reach her optimum playing level under Alas Pilipinas.
On the other hand, the duo of Laure and Nierva are yet to appear in the intensive training sessions of Alas Pilipinas.
De Brito announced that the duo, who are both playing for the Chery Tiggo Crossovers in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL), failed to attend the practice camp of the national team.
During the AVC Cup, Laure and Nierva became vital pieces to Alas’ podium finish after they played their roles tremendously as outside hitter and libero, respectively.
With only days left before the FIVB Challenger Cup begins, de Brito said that time is already not on their side and they should only stick with their available personnel for the upcoming tournament.
Currently, the coaching staff are yet to choose a replacement for Nierva in the libero spot. For Laure, plenty of attackers are still in the pool and can take her place.
