Another productive set of international campaigns has concluded for the Alas Pilipinas Women’s program.
Alas Pilipinas continues to gain precious mileage in their journey to establish a successful national team program.
Now in their second year, the Nationals are coming off another productive medal haul, starting with a historic silver in the 2025 AVC Nations’ Cup last June, and another pair of bronze medals at the SEA V.League in August.
In between, the Nationals also competed at the 2025 VTV International Women’s Volleyball Cup, where they placed fourth in an eight-team field headlined by regional rivals Vietnam.
For co-captains Jia Morado-De Guzman and Dawn Macandili-Catindig, these results are tangible proof that the national team program is trending in the right direction.
“We’re happy not just because of the podium finishes, but also, kasi ‘yung pinaka-goal namin is to build something long term. So these are all building blocks toward what we want to do as a team,” De Guzman said during a special LRT-2 ride organized by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) to promote the FIVB Men’s World Championship.
“Clear naman samin ‘yung direction ng players and sa coaches, kung ano ‘yung gusto naming ma-achieve. So the small steps, the progress, building a system, and getting more people to come in the team and buy in the system, it shows din dun sa recent wins namin na things are working.”
Easier said than done, but it’s now a matter of getting even greater results as the program continues to grow, according to Catindig.
“Very happy and proud kami sa team dahil ‘yung progress is mas nagiging consistent na and ‘yun pa talaga ‘yung pinagtatrabahuhan namin. Na mas umangat pa ‘yung podium finish,” said the veteran libero.
Another highlight in Alas’ 2025 calendar is the brilliance of their young stars, starting with Angel Canino and Justine Jazareno, each getting their share of positional awards.
Canino, in her return as an outside hitter, racked up two Best Outside Hitter plums during the AVC Nations Cup and SEA V.League Leg 1. Early on, Canino already boasts a total of three individual awards since her Best Opposite Hitter nod in the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup.
Jazareno, meanwhile, won Best Libero in the SEA V.League Leg 2, which serves as her first individual award on the international stage.
“Sa mga bata, this is a very important time for them to gain experience, ma-expose pa sila,” said Macandili-Catindig.
Former National University stars Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon continue to integrate themselves into Jorge de Brito’s systems, while young stars in Clarisse Loresco and super rookie Shaina Nitura have shown flashes of immense potential.
“Ganitong level ‘yung kailangan nilang laruin para makuha nila ‘yung experience na ito coming into the next competition pa, and syempre, paano nila ishe-share ‘yun going back to their universities, club teams, tsaka doon sa future na magjo-join pa ng national team,” added the Alas co-captain.
Alas Pilipinas now looks to apply the lessons they have learned at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games this December, where they hope to break a two-decade podium drought in the regional meet.
Images from SAVA on Facebook.