MANILA –De La Salle University standouts Angel Canino, Thea Gagate, and Julia Coronel are thrilled for the chance to learn from Denso Airybees star Jia de Guzman after the national volleyball federation called them up for the national squad for AVC Challenge Cup for Women later this month.

Now called Alas Pilipinas, the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) officially announced the national team's composition on Wednesday at the TV5 Media Center.

"I'm really looking forward na maging setter si Ate Jia kasi before, parang nakikita ko lang po siyang nagse-set," Canino told reporters at the Mall of Asia Arena after La Salle received their bronze medals for the UAAP Season 86.

"Sobrang ganda niya talaga. I mean, meron talaga siyang connection with each and every one sa loob. 'Yun 'yung pinakanagagandahan ako. You know, makikita mo yung maturity niya inside. Makikita mo yung leadership niya kaya gusto ko rin siyang makasama kaya nilu-look forward ko," the former UAAP ROTY-MVP went on.

Gagate, who won the First Best Middle Blocker nod for the third straight season, also praised De Guzman's rich experience as setter.

"Well for me, si ate Jia po. 'Yun nga, super experienced siya na setter and I’m excited to be na maging setter siya sa team namin and yun nga, nakaka-pressure pero masaya siya. Magandang experience siya."

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Coronel cannot believe that she would eventually be playing with the decorated playmaker, and relished this opportunity to learn from her.

"For me, si ate Jia Morado [De Guzman] kasi I’ve been looking up to her ever since and sobrang ano rin, nakaka-excite. ‘Di ko na-imagine ever na magiging teammate ko pala siya. I’m really looking forward to what I’ll get to learn from her also and the rest of our ates na nasa team na mga veterans din, kung what I’ll get to learn from them individually," Coronel said.

Meanwhile, aside from the 8-time PVL Best Setter, Canino said she's excited to team up with fellow collegiate stars UE's Casiey Dongallo, NU's Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon.

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"Also, nilu-look forward ko rin sina Casiey Dongallo, Bella Belen, ate Aly Solomon, kasi siyempre, magkalaban kami sa UAAP eh, so I really look forward na makalaro siya sa national team natin," Canino said.

De Guzman, for her part, said she was "flattered" by the sentiment of the young La Salle stars.

"At the same time, I'm equally excited to play with them, since I know how skilled they are, coming from a team with a good system in place," De Guzman said in a message to ABS-CBN News.

"Our line-up is filled with different generational talents, all eager to play and represent the flag despite the short preparation," she added. "Everyone has so much experience and knowledge to share, so I'm really looking forward to learning from everyone in the team."

Aside from De Guzman, the young UAAP stars will be learning from PVL "ates" Eya Laure, Sisi Rondina, Vanie Gandler, Dawn Catindig, Cherry Nunag, Dell Palomata, Fifi Sharma, Jen Nierva, and Faith Nisperos.

Alas Pilipinas will compete with foreign teams in the AVC Challenge Cup on May 22 to 29 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

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