A silver medal is just as bright as the coveted gold for Alas Pilipinas following their run at the 2025 AVC Nations Cup.
It didn’t take long for Alas Pilipinas to author another historic run at the AVC Nations’ Cup following their bronze medal finish in Manila last year.
With a squad composed of familiar faces, Alas took home a silver medal in this year’s staging, only behind three-peat champions Vietnam by the end of the one-week meet held last June 7 to 14.
If anything, it’s a step in the right direction for the nationals, who are hoping to break a lengthy medal drought this December at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games to be held in Thailand.
Historic firsts
This year’s historic silver shone brightly like gold for Alas Pilipinas, as it now marks the Philippines’ highest placing and first finals appearance in an AVC-sanctioned tournament since joining in 1961.
It is also the country’s first silver medal since the 1997 Southeast Asian Games, and brings up the total medal count to 19 in international volleyball play.
“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,” captain Jia De Guzman said in a media release by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF).
Three Alas players also took home individual plums, led by De Guzman being named as Best Setter for the second consecutive year. From Best Opposite last year, Angel Canino was awarded the Best Outside Hitter, while Dell Palomata silenced doubters with a Best Middle Blocker plum.
Climbing up the rankings
As another icing on the cake, Alas Pilipinas also surged 10 spots higher in the FIVB world rankings, going from 56th to 46th to become the eighth-best team in Asia.
Alas had to go through the wringer this time around in Hanoi, with an early loss to gutsy Iran nearly jeopardizing their medal hopes in pool play. But it was also here that the nationals showed immense heart and poise.
Following that loss to Iran, Alas proceeded to ace their virtual must-win contests, headlined by a stunning upset over longtime rivals Kazakhstan to secure Pool A’s top seed with four wins and a solitary loss.
Alas proceeded to overcome a furious comeback by Chinese Taipei to set up their gold medal clash against Vietnam.
“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,” De Guzman said of their historic run.
“Slowly but surely, we’re progressing as a country in volleyball and I’m really proud of the team.”
Showcase of the future and continuity
Behind the battle-tested hands of De Guzman and Dawn Macandili-Catindig are a steady pool of youthful stars, coming from both the UAAP and the Premier Volleyball League. As with last year’s homestand, this year highlighted the rich collection of talents that will don the national tricolors for years to come.
As mentioned, there was Angel Canino, who emerged as Alas’ top scorer in Hanoi in her return to her natural outside hitter position. Already bringing length and natural explosiveness, Canino has consistently dazzled in international play, and will no doubt be a cornerstone for a long-term national team program.
Incoming Capital1 rookie Bella Belen seems to have found her groove within the current national team program, while her former National University co-star Alyssa Solomon continues to be a headache for opposing floor defenses with her well-placed power hits and six-foot-two frame.
Reigning UAAP rookie of the year Shaina Nitura emerged as a solid bench piece in her national team debut, while Fifi Sharma continued to excel as one of two starting middle blockers under head coach Jorge Souza de Brito.
If anything, it’s also a proof that continuity is a key part of any national team program. Sure, there are some new additions, but much of these players already have at least one appearance in last year’s national team window.
For instance, the likes of De Guzman, Canino, and Laure have been with Alas since the Nations Cup (then known as the AVC Challenge Cup) in May last year, while the Belen-Solomon tandem were integrated by the Southeast Asian V.League (SEA V.League) in August.
“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,” de Brito said. “And this part is important because it’s not only volleyball, you play for the flag and you show your character inside. It’s something you have to grow and build for the team.”
Up next for Alas Pilipinas will be the 2025 VTV International Volleyball Women’s Cup, also to be held in Vietnam, from June 28 to July 5.
Banner images courtesy of the Asian Volleyball Confederation.