Team captain Jia De Guzman sees promise in the direction of the Alas Pilipinas program, noting that maintaining the same core group for the past two years has strengthened chemistry and continuity.
The foundation is there, she said, but the journey is far from over.
“Yung long-term program that we keep talking about, I think we got one step down na we were able to maintain the pool for two years,” De Guzman said, just moments after Alas Women fell short of ending a 20-year medal drought against Indonesia in the bronze medal match of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games, Monday night.
Since the inception of the Alas Pilipinas program, the national team has relied on the same core in multiple international tournaments over the last two years. This continuity has produced notable results, including a silver and bronze in the AVC Nations Cup and four bronze medals in the Southeast Asian V.League.
Yet, the eight-time PVL Best Setter believes there is still room for growth.
Her message is clear: the national team needs ample preparation for future international competitions.
“Hopefully, the next two years ganun din ‘yung mangyari, but the other steps naman na kailangan tuparin dun sa long-term program na ‘yun is ‘yung proper preparation coming into tournaments like this,” said the 30-year-old playmaker, as the Philippines placed fourth in the biennial meet for the fifth straight edition.
“Like the SEA Games, we already know it comes every two years. Other Olympic year calendar tournaments, we know when it’s gonna happen. So hopefully nga, if we do want na makuha natin ‘yung medal na ‘to, na matagal na naming inaantay, matagal na nating lahat inaantay… We do have to prepare for things like this and at the same time, kita naman nating lahat eh,” she added.
“Kahit sinong player pa kunin na mag-represent ng bansa, gusto naming ibibigay ‘yung lahat. So why not ibigay natin ‘yung suporta and ‘yung tamang preparation para mabigay din natin sa players ‘yung kailangan nila, para maibigay ‘yung medalya sa Pilipinas.”
The Premier Volleyball League, which already adjusted its mid-year calendar to accommodate the national team window, had limited room to make further changes for the SEA Games.
Still, the league made it a point to support the national team, ensuring the Reinforced Conference concluded before December — even though the biennial meet falls outside the official national team period.
The PVL did not field national team pool players during the On Tour and Invitational tournaments. Alongside UAAP football and the Spikers’ Turf, these leagues are among the few in the country that adjusted their operations to allow national team training, even permitting players to train twice a week while their respective seasons were still ongoing.
Preparations for the SEA Games — and other major international competitions — have long been a challenge not only for Alas Pilipinas but also for other sports.
De Guzman has experienced this firsthand, having represented the country four times in the SEA Games. She understands the difficulties of balancing club commitments, league schedules, and national team duties. And more than that, why proper preparation is crucial for success on the international stage.
“Actually, ever since I came to the national team, different players have been talking about the same thing. I think it’s about time na we hear them out din, ‘di ba? So hopefully. Hindi naman kami titigil din dito dahil lang natalo kami,” she shared.
Speaking on behalf of both current and future players of the Alas program, De Guzman urged all stakeholders — from professional, semi-professional, and amateur leagues to national sports associations — to come together and provide the support and preparation needed for the national team to achieve international success.
“But how can we get that improvement if we don’t support it with the proper preparation?” she said.
“So eto po, this is not just me speaking for me, this is me speaking for their batch, for the younger batch, for the next generation na gustong pumasok sa Alas men’s, women’s, and beach. Everyone, like honestly, we’ve been talking about the same message ever since Alas started last year,” she continued.
“Kasi ganun tayo aangat bilang Pilipinas eh, Philippine volleyball, that’s what the other countries are doing. Before Vietnam, natatalo natin. Before Indonesia, every now and then natatalo natin, but ngayon kasi malakas sila kasi they never stopped. They got the support they needed. We can do that too. So ‘yun lang po ’yung gusto namin.”
In return, De Guzman said the players have committed to giving their all for the country while also sharing the knowledge and experience they gain to help elevate their club teams and raise the overall level of volleyball in their respective leagues.
“We will keep moving forward even if we’re back in our teams, universities or clubs, we will train for a higher purpose. Lahat ng matutunan namin dito, ibabalik namin sa club namin.”
If stakeholders heed her call, De Guzman believes the Philippines can finally emerge as a serious contender on the international stage.
#WATCH: WE WILL TRAIN FOR A HIGHER PURPOSE 🏐🇵🇭
Jia de Guzman turns emotional after Alas Women’s campaign in the #SEAGames2025 ended fruitlessly #ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/FhJzCXx3ba
📹 @_joaquiflores /Tiebreaker Times #Sambansa pic.twitter.com/Dem9vQ9ocW
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) December 15, 2025
