CANDON, Ilocos Sur — Jude Garcia has long dreamed of representing the Philippine men’s indoor volleyball team, and now that the opportunity has finally come, he has no plans of letting it slip away.
Garcia vowed to remain committed to Alas Pilipinas every time he is called up to the national team.
The five-time Spikers’ Turf Most Valuable Player made the statement after completing his first tournament with the Nationals, capped by a 25-21, 28-26, 25-22 victory over Myanmar on Saturday that secured fifth place in the first leg of the 2026 SEA V Cup at the Candon City Arena here.
“Siyempre, as long as kino-call up ako sa national team po, magco-commit pa rin ako sa national team. Kasi sobrang laking bagay, opportunity na mapabilang sa Alas, sa national team,” said the 5-foot-11 wing spiker.
“Kumbaga, hindi ko na iniisip yung future kasi talagang kung ipupunta kami dito. Talagang magco-commit ako, magco-commit — basta walang club season.”
Garcia had previously received invitations to the indoor national team, but circumstances prevented him from joining. Before making the switch indoors, he was a mainstay of the Alas Pilipinas beach volleyball squad.
Representing the country on the sand, the 27-year-old captured three bronze medals in the Southeast Asian Games and another bronze in the AVC Continental Cup.
“Sobrang grateful lang kasi ang laking opportunity nito para sa akin. Kasi yun nga, ang tagal ko nang hinihintay. Ngayon lang dumating. So talaga, hangga’t nandito ako, i-cherish ko yung moment na ibigay ko yung best every game and every practice sa game,” he said.
Initially deployed as an outside hitter during the Philippines’ pool matches, Garcia shifted to opposite hitter in the win over Myanmar, finishing with eight points to help close the tournament on a high note. The event was hosted by Candon City Mayor Eric Singson and supported by the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee.
Just as he has done with club team Criss Cross, the Far Eastern University product showed he can be effective on either wing. Garcia hopes to become even more productive in the second leg, scheduled from July 22 to 26 in Jakarta, Indonesia.
“Sobrang komportable na ako kasi siyempre, alam naman natin ang gagawin mo lang sa opposite, dedepensa ka, aatake ka, and ba-block ka lang. So siyempre, sa mindset ko lang talaga, pupunta sa akin yung bola, gagawin ko lang yung pinaka-best ko,” he said.
With the team having been assembled only on May 15, Garcia believes their victory over Myanmar can serve as a confidence booster heading into the second leg.
“Sobrang laking motivation di lang para sa akin, para sa teammates ko din. Kasi lahat naman kami, trinabaho namin yung game na ‘to, trinabaho namin past games namin talaga,” he said.
“Kita naman doon yung effort ng bawat isa, so dadalhin namin ‘tong experience na ‘to sa leg 2 na sana mas magiging maganda yung resulta ng leg 2 namin.”
