Jude Garcia headlines Alas Pilipinas men’s training return

Criss Cross King Crunchers’ Jude Garcia during a game against Savogue Aesthetics in the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference Finals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Jude Garcia has joined the Alas Pilipinas men’s volleyball training ahead of the national team calendar.

Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Tonyboy Liao bared to Inquirer that while there’s no final training pool yet, Italian coach Angiolino Frigoni has been holding practice sessions with invited players, headlined by five-time Spikers’ Turf Conference MVP Garcia.

“They started training last Monday but Coach Angiolino has been inviting a roster of players,” Liao told the Inquirer as Alas braces for the SEA V.League in Candon in July and the second leg in Indonesia.

Garcia, who is set to be crowned a two-time season MVP in the league, led the UAAP and NCAA standouts in training over the past week.

The Criss Cross King Crunchers star, who recently won back-to-back championships, previously expressed interest in representing the country after skipping last year’s national team duties to prioritize his family.

The former national team beach volleyball player has been stellar in the club scene, playing either opposite or outside hitter.

NU Bulldogs’ Buds Buddin and Leo Ordiales during a game in the UAAP Season 88 men’s volleyball tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUirEr.net

Liao said six-time UAAP champion National University is expected to join practice on Monday, including Alas quartet Leo Ordiales, Buds Buddin, Jade Disquitado and Peng Taguibolos, along with setter Greg Ancheta.

Also invited were Far Eastern University standouts Mikko Espartero, Lirick Mendoza and Vennie Ceballos.

Alas mainstays Lloyd Josafat, Al-Bukharie Sali and Vince Lorenzo have attended training since May 11, alongside Ateneo players Kennedy Batas, Jian Salarzon, Lorenzo Gutierrez, Brian Castro and Rodge Alejos.

Also participating are La Salle standouts NJ Bangit, Joshua Magalaman and Yoyong Mendoza, University of Santo Tomas’ JJ Macam, and University of the Philippines’ Milven Francisco.

Savouge Spin Doctors duo Mark Calado and Vince Imperial also attended, along with AEP-Cabstars’ Jared Schnake.

Two-time Spikers’ Turf Best Setter Adrian Villados is also eyeing a return to national team duty after competing in the Asian Games three years ago. NCAA standouts Axel Van Book of San Beda and Barbie San Andres of Mapua have likewise joined training.

Bryan Bagunas and Marck Espejo remain overseas in Japan and Taiwan, respectively, while Owa Retamar recently signed with Visakha for a Cambodian pro league stint that runs until July.

Meanwhile, Josh Ybañez requested time to rest following a grueling UAAP Season 88 campaign, where he won his third MVP award and led UST to a bronze-medal finish.