Building on their recent success on the international stage, Alas Pilipinas Women head coach Jorge Souza de Brito is setting his sights on a podium finish in the upcoming 33rd Southeast Asian Games this December.
During the national team window, the Nationals delivered a landmark performance in the AVC Nations Cup, securing a historic silver medal before adding back-to-back bronze finishes in the SEA V.League.
“We always hope for the medal finish,” the Brazilian tactician said following Capital1’s quarterfinal exit in the 2025 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference on Monday.
“They are more motivated from the last results we got, against the teams we know are going to play — Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia. Of course, I’m not just talking about confidence; we would like to train much better,” he added.
As of today, de Brito has more than half of his player pool available, with eight teams already eliminated from the PVL’s import-laced tournament.
Galeries Tower’s Julia Coronel; Chery Tiggo’s Jennifer Nierva; and Choco Mucho’s Kat Tolentino and Maddie Madayag were able to join full-time as early as last week after their respective teams bowed out in the preliminary round.
Meanwhile, Solar Spikers standouts Bella Belen and Leila Cruz, along with Cignal’s Dawn Catindig and Vanie Gandler — all of whom have been regularly attending national team training — can now fully commit, with their mother clubs also eliminated.
The group also includes Jia De Guzman, Eya Laure, and collegiate talents Shaina Nitura and Angel Canino — each of whom has been diligently attending practices, according to newly-appointed Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Anthony “Tony Boy” Liao.
Akari’s Mars Alba and Fifi Sharma; PLDT’s Dell Palomata and Alleiah Malaluan; ZUS Coffee’s Thea Gagate; and Petro Gazz’s Brooke Van Sickle — already part of the final lineup, per Liao — are the remaining players who have yet to report full-time but are cleared to train with Alas.
Also yet to report is Alyssa Solomon, who remains with JT Marvelous in the Japan SV.League.
“Okay, we are training every single day — with two guys, sometimes six, sometimes two, sometimes three. This is our team for the SEA Games right now. This is our stage that the guys will have,” de Brito said.
“Different from the men, who are in Taipei with the whole team, we are here every day. But if you guys are going to watch, tomorrow we are going to be on GameVille, and we have two, three, or even six players.”
Despite the challenges of a compressed schedule and limited preparation time, de Brito emphasized that the Alas Pilipinas players must maximize every moment they have on the court.
He expressed frustration over narratives that downplay the team’s efforts, stressing that regardless of circumstances, the athletes must train, adapt, and push themselves in pursuit of a medal.
“And I’m really sorry, because again, even if you get the medal, you guys will start a news story: ‘Even lacking a time of preparation.’ This has to stop,” he said.
“Try to find another way to talk about Alas. Even with a lack of preparation, the players have to find time to prepare. That’s it.”
