Alas Pilipinas Women feel determined to end the Philippines’ two-decade-long medal drought with a long-awaited podium finish as the Nationals ramps up their preparations for the Southeast Asian Games in Thailand this December.
Fresh off a historic silver-medal campaign in the 2025 AVC Women’s Nations Cup, the national team enters the final stretch of its buildup with renewed motivation and a top-three finish at the biennial meet squarely in its sights.
The Philippines recently made history by advancing to the final of the AVC Nations Cup — its first-ever appearance in a championship match at the continental level — before falling to host Vietnam in straight sets.
That breakthrough run also marked the country’s best finish in an AVC tournament in 64 years and earned the program its first silver medal in a major international competition since the 1997 SEA Games.
Despite the momentum, head coach Jorge Souza de Brito and team captain Jia De Guzman acknowledged the challenges ahead, especially with perennial powerhouses Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia also in top form.
Still, both remain committed to pushing the team further in the lead-up to the Games.
“Of course, we’re fighting for this, but [it’s] gonna be hard because of those top teams — [Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia],” said de Brito during the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum last Tuesday.
“Of course, we’re gonna play with pride, and expectations are getting high because we’re getting the results now, but it’s gonna be hard. We will prepare for this moment.”
De Guzman admitted that the pressure on the team has increased significantly, especially after their rapid ascent over the past year, which included bronze medals in both the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup and the Southeast Asian V.League.
Thanks to their silver finish in the Nations Cup, the Philippines also rose ten spots in the FIVB world rankings — from No. 56 to No. 46.
“Of course, there’s a lot of pressure to produce more results, lalo na ngayon that we’re reaching heights we haven’t reached before. At the same time, the other teams are also preparing well for this competition,” said the two-time AVC Nations Cup Best Setter.
“For example, Thailand — they’re exposed to VNL teams right now. Vietnam is also leveling up, and Indonesia, everyone is doing their training camps abroad, so everyone is very focused on their own preparations. Same as us,” she added.
That’s why De Guzman emphasized the importance of staying grounded, no matter the outside noise or increasing expectations. For her, maintaining focus on the team’s daily growth remains the top priority.
“We’re trying to keep the team very grounded and humble despite the success, kasi the process is really what brings more results for the team. If we look too far ahead, the pressure that comes with it can affect people differently,” said the 30-year-old playmaker.
“So for us, the number one thing is to trust the process, trust coach’s system, trust each other, and just keep showing up every day to be better. But of course, yes — we will fight for that podium finish, as we do in every tournament naman talaga.”
Alas Pilipinas will next head to Vietnam for the VTV Cup, scheduled from June 28 to July 5, before returning for the first leg of the SEA V.League from August 1 to 3.
The second leg will take place in Thailand from August 8 to 10.
