Alas Pilipinas skipper Jia de Guzman remains focused on the bigger picture following their historic AVC Nations Cup run.
Historic as their AVC Nations Cup run may be, Alas Pilipinas captain Jia de Guzman knows that this is just one of many major steps needed for the Philippines to establish themselves as a clear-cut volleyball powerhouse.
So while she is proud of Alas’ breakthrough silver medal at the Nations Cup, De Guzman highlighted a much bigger win from that run, and it is the growth that the current national team core has attained as one cohesive unit.
After all, the road can only get tougher for the nationals, especially now that they have established themselves as a team on the rise.
“Of course, we’re very, very happy with the result. But if you ask me, I am much more fulfilled seeing the growth of the girls, the coaches and the whole team. Because it’s easy to say na pataas kami nang pataas, but we know na mas maraming hirap na darating for us to reach the top, because that’s what the other teams on top had to go through to get there,” De Guzman said during the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) forum on Tuesday.
“This is just like our second year together as a pool, as a team. So marami kaming pagdadaanan pa talaga.”
De Guzman pointed out how big of a difference a year makes, with their last two AVC Nations Cup runs being the biggest example. More than the improved standings, the captain said, was the change in outlook and expectations for Alas heading into the one-week meet.
During the Nations’ Cup (then known as the AVC Challenge Cup) held in Manila, Alas entered with little to no preparation time, yet went on to cop a historic bronze medal. This year, with ample buildup, expectations were on the national team to at least match that bronze finish.
“Last year it was our first time together, there was really no pressure. We just really enjoyed the game,” said De Guzman. “It’s the same naman this year, we asked everyone to enjoy the game and do their best, but marami nang ibang nate-test samin. It’s not just our skills or chemistry as a team.”
Alas Pilipinas also had a tougher path in this year’s Nations Cup, needing to ace a pair of must-win elimination round games to have a fighting chance at the podium.
Come the semifinals, they nearly suffered a reverse sweep against Chinese Taipei, only to regain their bearings in the fifth set to set up a gold medal match against Vietnam.
“It’s also ‘yung character namin, how we respond to certain situations, and that’s something that the other teams that are stronger than us have over us. So these are experiences that we need as a team para lumakas pa, and hopefully, in the long run, mas masuportahan pa kami para maabot ‘yung mga goals na sine-set namin for us, and to give more pride to the country.”
SEA Games podium next?
Alas Pilipinas’ busy 2025 calendar is set to continue with the VTV Cup this June 28 to July 5, followed by the Southeast Asian V.League (SEA V.League) that usually takes place between July and August.
By December, Alas will be playing in the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) in Thailand, where they hope to snap a 20-year podium drought in the women’s volleyball tournament.
The road won’t be any easier for the nationals, but if there is anything that they have learned over the past year, it’s that the level of competition can change in an instant, which leaves little to no room for complacency.
At this point, it’s a matter of staying grounded, and knowing that progress should never be a sign to settle.
“We’re trying to keep the team very grounded and humble, despite success talaga, kasi the process talaga is what will spell more good results for the team. If we look at it that high kaagad, there’s so much pressure that comes with it,” said De Guzman.
“And some people react differently to pressure, so for us, ‘yung number one talaga is to trust coach’s [Jorge de Brito’s] system, trust each other, and just keep showing up everyday to be better.
But of course, yes, we will fight for that podium finish [in the SEA Games] as we do every tournament naman talaga.”
Banner images from the Asian Volleyball Confederation.