Jackson Reed had every opportunity to stay in the United States and pursue a career on the global stage of men’s volleyball with Team USA.
But when the call came to suit up for Alas Pilipinas Men, the 6-foot-1 USC standout made a deeply personal choice — one rooted in family, heritage, and pride.
Reed’s decision to represent the Philippines ahead of the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship wasn’t just about wearing new colors — it was about honoring his late grandfather, a proud Filipino who emigrated from Pangasinan in the 1960s and planted the roots of their family in the United States.
“My grandfather was the eldest of seven siblings. He brought everyone to the States and became a naturalized citizen in 1969. My mom was born a year before that,” Reed shared.
“This is my way of paying tribute to his journey.”
After a year-long wait, Reed finally made his much-anticipated debut for Alas Pilipinas in front of a roaring crowd at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Though he only finished with three points, his presence on the court during the team’s four-set victory over reigning Korean V-League champions Hyundai Capital in the Alas Pilipinas Invitationals was symbolic of a promise fulfilled.
“There’s a lot of great players in the US, and there are so many great players here too,” Reed told reporters after the match. “I just wanted to do something different — to honor my grandfather.
“This means so much because we don’t really have stuff like this back home. Just being here, experiencing something new — this is what I came for. And I’m loving every moment,” he added.
Reed’s journey to finally wear the Philippine jersey wasn’t easy. He first tried out for the team last year but had to cut his stay short after falling ill just two weeks into his trip.
He finally got another shot when Alas Pilipinas invited him to a one-week training camp in New York from May 27 to June 3, as part of their buildup for the World Championships.
He had the chance to join the squad earlier for the AVC Champions League in Osaka last May, but Reed opted to stay with Loyola University — where he’s pursuing his master’s degree — after the Ramblers qualified for the US Nationals.
“It’s been a year in the making,” he said. “I was supposed to be on the team last year, but I got really sick. Now, everything’s come full circle, and it feels amazing.”
Now part of a loaded pool filled with both seasoned veterans and rising stars, Reed is eager to soak in every bit of knowledge and experience. Among his teammates are Filipino volleyball icons Marck Espejo, Steven Rotter, Louie Ramirez, and Owa Retamar.
Joining them are standout rookies from the recently-concluded UAAP Season 87 Men’s Volleyball Tournament — including MVP Kennedy Batas, Eco Adajar, Noel Kampton, and JJ Macam.
“I feel like this is an opportunity that a lot of people back home in the US don’t get because the pool there is very competitive,” said Reed. “But over here, the environment’s been amazing. It’s been such a seamless transition.
“Everyone’s been so nice and welcoming. I couldn’t ask for a better group of guys to go to battle with.”
#WATCH: Jackson Reed shares what it’s like playing for Alas Pilipinas Men for the first time! 🇵🇭🏐
📹 @jonashdcd /Tiebreaker Times#Sambansa #AlasInvitationals pic.twitter.com/WWxsLjVNPa
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) June 11, 2025
