Hanoi: The Philippine team will come back 'stronger and stronger' after settling for the silver medal in the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Women's Volleyball Nations Cup Saturday night. Host Vietnam, ranked No. 25 in the world, kept the crown after pulling off a 25-15, 25-17, 25-14 victory at Dong Anh Arena.
According to Philippines News Agency, Brazilian coach Jorge Souza De Brito expressed optimism in a news release on Sunday, stating, 'We're happy for second place, we're on the way . it's a process.' De Brito emphasized the potential of the team, highlighting the support from the federation and the development of good players as key factors in strengthening the group year after year.
Under De Brito's guidance, Alas Pilipinas has shown significant progress over a three-year span. Jia de Guzman, who was named Best Setter of the tournament for the second consecutive year, remarked on the achievement, saying, 'This silver medal is amazing. It means everything. It's hard to see the growth of the sport [in the country] without this result achieved by the team.'
De Guzman expressed the team's motivation to continue improving, stating, 'We had to give it our best because after getting the bronze last year and the silver this time, we're inspired to go back to training and keep working together as a team and to keep going for this long-term program.' She was joined in the roster of individual awardees by Angel Canino (Best Outside Spiker) and Dell Palomata (Best Middle Blocker), further highlighting the team's progress.
Since the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) took over in 2021, both the Alas Pilipinas men's and women's teams have improved under the Empowerment Program supported by the world volleyball federation (FIVB). PNVF and AVC president Ramon Suzara acknowledged the team's development in a press statement, noting the contributions of both the players and the entire program.
The Philippines secured four wins and two losses throughout the tournament. De Brito, addressing the players, emphasized the importance of perseverance and character, stating, 'I hope you can keep all of them because they trust the process, they are really strong and they all keep the focus even if they are not performing good, they are always trying.'
The Brazilian coach's contract as head coach of the national women's team under the FIVB program will conclude with the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand in December. From No. 156 in the world rankings in 2021, the national women's team has impressively climbed to No. 66 in 2023 and No. 58 in 2024.