Alas Pilipinas head coach Jorge Souza De Brito remains grounded despite heightened expectations following the national team’s landmark podium finish in the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup.
De Brito has earned a contract extension that will see him coaching the Philippines until next year’s Southeast Asian Games, after recently leading Alas Pilipinas to a historic bronze medal.
The podium finish ended the country’s 63-year medal drought in AVC-sanctioned tournaments.
“It’s really amazing what a win can do,” said the Brazilian head coach.
“Well, I can tell you that I am very, very happy because I have worked here for three years, and our goal has always been to win. But that’s a process you have to go through, and when you achieve these goals, of course you’re happy,” he continued.
“I’m very proud of the players who did that, who helped us as a coaching staff to achieve this. Also, I’m really happy because I will be handling them again for the next tournaments. I’m sure we are really, really close to getting better. I’m very happy.”
De Brito is well aware of the high expectations brought about by their momentous victory in the Challenge Cup. However, the player-turned-coach promised to remain focused on the task at hand, which is to help elevate the country’s status in international play.
“The expectations right now are getting higher, but you also have to remain grounded and understand that there are still a lot of things to do. But you see, we have some vitamins already for winning,” said the former Akari head coach.
Now, De Brito’s first order of business after his extension is to retain the core of the bronze-winning Alas Pilipinas squad and add key pieces to the pool.
The 57-year-old coach recently added Creamline stars Jema Galanza and Tots Carlos, and National University stars Alyssa Solomon and Bela Belen to the current group of players set to compete in the 2024 FIVB Challenger Cup next month.
However, it looks like De Brito isn’t done bolstering the pool. He also expressed his intention to add Mars Alba and Maddie Madayag of Choco Mucho, Ivy Lacsina of Akari, Jolina Dela Cruz of Farm Fresh, and collegiate stars Tin Ubaldo (FEU) and Gayle Pascual (CSB).
“Of course, we’re also working with the PVL teams and UAAP teams because we have to balance this. We’re trying to keep the same core because I think it’s important,” said De Brito, who thanked PNVF president Tats Suzara, the PVL, the UAAP, and the NCAA for their cooperation.
“We also need to add more players. Philippine volleyball is much more than these current Alas players. I have to congratulate them because we achieved our goal, but I’ve also told them that we’re going to add some good players. Every time you get more talented players, it’s better for us,” he continued.
“Internal competition is always good, so we’ll try to bring other players, but we’re going to try to keep the same core because the competition is too close.”
Alas Pilipinas is coming off a trip from South Korea, where they took on Powerful Daegu at the Serve, Spike, Unite! exhibition match.
De Brito said that he is looking forward to a longer preparation this time around for the Nationals.
“With all the support from the fans, they are really excited to join. The players can’t even wait to start training again. Imagine, with little training for the AVC Challenge Cup, we already did what we did,” he said.
“So, what if we had more time to train? Imagine what we could achieve. The players are really excited to start training next week and our tune-up tomorrow.”
