Tag: Alas Pilipinas

  • Alas Pilipinas middle blocker Fifi Sharma speaks out, calls for accountability amid national team issues

    Alas Pilipinas middle blocker Fifi Sharma speaks out, calls for accountability amid national team issues

    For a long time, the noise surrounding Alas Pilipinas stayed outside the court. On Tuesday, it finally came from within.

     

    Fifi Sharma, one of the pillars of the current national team pool, stepped forward publicly, using her platform to address what she described as a troubling situation surrounding the program. Her message wasn’t just an observation—it was a call to action.

     

    “I hope we continue to spread awareness on everything that’s been happening surrounding the national team,” Sharma wrote on her Instagram broadcast channel on Tuesday.

     

    At the heart of her concern is a sense of lost momentum. For Sharma, this generation of players represents something rare—perhaps the most cohesive and promising core the program has built in years. That is precisely why the current situation feels more alarming than ever.

     

    “This is the closest we’ve ever gotten to having a core and it’s sad to see it fall into the wrong hands.”

     

    Her words carried more than frustration; they reflected the emotional toll of representing something bigger than oneself while feeling that the system behind it is falling short.

     

    “It’s difficult to keep giving your all and fighting for something that consistently fails to take care of you,” she said.

     

    “Passion can carry you far but it shouldn’t be used to justify neglect.”

     

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    The statement struck a chord because it echoed what many supporters have quietly questioned for some time. But coming from a key player, it added weight—and urgency—to the conversation.

     

    Still, Sharma made it clear that her message was not rooted in resentment. Instead, it came from a place of deep connection to the program and appreciation for the fans who continue to rally behind the team.

     

    “I’ve had my best memories playing volleyball in the national team, and I’ve never felt love and support like that from you guys!” she wrote.

     

    “That’s why I’m saying this and that’s why I’m hoping things change.”

     

    That balance—between frustration and hope—defines where Alas Pilipinas stands today. A program filled with talent and potential, yet facing questions that can no longer be ignored.

     

    For Sharma, speaking out was not about creating division, but about protecting something she believes in. And as her message spreads, it signals a turning point—one where silence is no longer an option, and where the future of the national team may depend on what happens next.

     

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  • PNVF seeks unity and reform amid backlash over Alas women program

    PNVF seeks unity and reform amid backlash over Alas women program

    Amid growing scrutiny and mounting concerns, the Philippine National Volleyball Federation is shifting its tone, calling for unity and collective action as it works to address pressing issues surrounding the national volleyball program.


    Following a wave of criticism that placed athlete welfare and program structure under the microscope, the federation reached out to players, stakeholders, and fans, urging them to be part of the solution rather than remain on the sidelines. 

     

    At the center of the controversy is the proposed draft system for Alas Pilipinas Women, which reportedly includes provisions requiring invited players to commit exclusively to the national team pool.

     

    The policy sparked concern across the volleyball community, raising questions about player autonomy and long-term welfare. 

     

    The issue was further amplified by reports involving alleged unpaid bonuses to former head coach Jorge de Brito, adding another layer of tension to an already sensitive situation.

     

    In a statement released late Tuesday, PNVF president Tony Boy Liao acknowledged the backlash and emphasized the federation’s willingness to listen and evolve.

     

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    “The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) acknowledges the sentiments and concerns shared by our volleyball community, including those surrounding the Alas Draft and athlete welfare. As the sport’s governing body, we remain committed to building a sustainable, inclusive, and athlete-centered path forward,” the federation said.

     

    Rather than dismiss criticism, the PNVF framed the moment as an opportunity to rebuild trust and strengthen its foundation. 

     

    It underscored the importance of creating a system that not only produces competitive teams but also protects and empowers the athletes within it.

     

    “We invite continued dialogue and collaboration as we work together to ensure that our athletes are not only competitive on the world stage, but are also supported, heard, and valued every step of the way,” the statement read.

     

    With tensions still fresh, the federation’s next steps will be closely watched. For now, its message is clear, a meaningful progress in Philippine volleyball will require not just policy changes, but open communication and shared responsibility across the entire community.

     

     

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  • Jorge Souza de Brito seeks legal recourse against PNVF over disputed unpaid bonuses

    Jorge Souza de Brito seeks legal recourse against PNVF over disputed unpaid bonuses

    What was meant to be a quiet transition has instead turned into a growing standoff. For Jorge Souza De Brito, the closing chapter of his time with Alas Pilipinas has shifted from a story of program-building to one centered on accountability.


    After years of shaping the direction of Philippine women’s volleyball, the Brazilian coach now finds himself locked in a dispute with the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF), one that he insists could have been resolved with a simple conversation.

     

    “I really don’t like to go this way but I don’t know how [else to proceed]. I’m just trying to sit on the same table with them because I think that’s the right thing to do,” De Brito said.

     

    The main issues are unpaid salaries and bonuses tied to his tenure, including incentives from multiple SEA V.League tournaments and an AVC Nations Cup campaign. Despite his contract running through June, De Brito says clarity on these commitments has never come.

     

    His frustration goes beyond finances. For months, he claims, attempts to initiate dialogue have been met with silence.

     

    “Instead of sitting and talking with me, they keep on attacking me. They never talked straight to me. I’m here since December, trying to meet them. How many times have I met with them? Zero. Why? Why are they so afraid to talk? I don’t know,” the veteran coach said.

     

    The breakdown comes after a complicated exit. De Brito was relieved of his post in October, just weeks before the Southeast Asian Games in Thailand. Yet rather than walk away, he stayed on to guide the team through the biennial meet closing his tenure on professional terms even as uncertainty loomed.

     

    Since then, he has returned to the club scene, taking the reins of the Capital1 Solar Spikers in the Premier Volleyball League. Still, the unresolved dispute with the federation continues to cast a shadow over his present role.

     

    The situation is further entangled by a leadership shift within the PNVF, with Tony Boy Liao taking over from Tats Suzara. But for De Brito, accountability should not depend on who is in charge.

    “I’ve been working with [the federation] for five years. It’s sad that we have to go through this,” the former Alas Pilipinas coach said.

     

    Liao, however, has distanced the current leadership from the issue.

     

    “Hindi namin problema ‘yun. Kay Tats [Suzara] na ‘yun,” Liao said.

     

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    The PNVF president also raised concerns over alleged contract violations, claiming De Brito should not have coached a club team while handling the national squad. The Brazilian mentor firmly denied this, stating that no such restriction existed in his agreement.

     

    As tensions rise, the dispute has extended beyond financial claims. De Brito’s camp alleges that his working status in the country is now being used as leverage.

     

    “The PNVF is trying to force him to give up his claim by threatening to cancel his visa or make it complicated for him to get a working visa,” his legal representation said.

     

    Liao confirmed that arrangements were made with Capital1 to allow De Brito to finish his current stint in the Premier Volleyball League, but issued a warning tied to the ongoing situation.

     

    “Naniningil [si de Brito] kaya sinabi namin sa Capital1 na kapag inulit niya pa, ica-cancel namin visa niya. We can always write to the PSC. We agreed [with Capital1] na tapusin muna natin ‘yung tournament basta ‘wag mangugulo coach niyo,” Liao said.

     

    Despite the escalating rhetoric, De Brito maintains that his position is rooted in principle rather than conflict. He says he honored his commitment to the national team, turning down other opportunities in the process and is now simply asking for the same in return.

     

    After sending formal communication to the federation as early as December, with no response, he is now preparing to elevate the matter. 

     

    His camp has reached out to the Brazilian embassy and the Department of Labor and Employment, and is exploring further action through international and government channels, including the FIVB and Senator Alan Peter Cayetano.

     

    “I think it’s time to go to the right venue to put these demands on the table,” he added.


    Even as Alas Pilipinas moves forward under new head coach Tai Bundit, De Brito’s case underscores a deeper issue—one that goes beyond contracts and into the broader responsibility of managing a national program.

     

    “The national team deserves much more, The fans deserve much more. The country deserves much more. Hopefully in the future, these guys will know what the national team really means for the country,” de Brito said.

     

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  • Alas Pilipinas to UAAP: La Salle’s Angel Canino and UST’s Joshua Ybanez named UAAP Players of the Week for Week 2

    Alas Pilipinas to UAAP: La Salle’s Angel Canino and UST’s Joshua Ybanez named UAAP Players of the Week for Week 2

    From carrying the Philippine flag to carrying their schools, Angel Canino and Joshua Ybanez proved that the transition from Alas Pilipinas back to collegiate play comes with no adjustment period.

     

    In Week 2 of the UAAP Season 88 volleyball tournament, the two national team standouts delivered performances that bridged international discipline with campus intensity, steering De La Salle University and University of Santo Tomas to unbeaten weeks and earning UAAP Players of the Week honors.

     

    For Canino, the spotlight did not arrive by demand — it arrived by necessity. With La Salle missing key firepower due to illness, the Alas Pilipinas winger leaned on composure rather than volume. She first helped dismantle a previously unbeaten University of the Philippines squad in straight sets, combining timely scoring with steady floor coverage. 

     

    Days later, when archrival Ateneo de Manila University managed to snatch La Salle’s first set of the season, Canino responded with a 21-point, 11-reception double-double to restore order and keep the Lady Spikers unblemished.

     

    Yet her mindset remained rooted in collective responsibility.

     

    “Hindi ko siya iniisip na ittake ko lahat ng responsibility kasi madami kaming senior eh, and madami ding mga bata na willing to step up so magaan din para sa akin kasi alam ko talaga when it comes to playing, hindi lang ako dapat ang maasahan,” she said after their win over Ateneo.

     

    “Lahat kami naasahan sa loob kaya walang dagdag na pressure. Lahat naman pinaghirapan namin. So lagi namin talagang pinagkakatiwalaan kung anong pinagtatraining namin.

     

    Napakaganda naman talaga ng resulta, at mapupuri mo talaga yung mga bata,” she added.

     

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    On the men’s side, Ybanez’s return from national team duties came with a sharpened edge.

    After reinforcing his defensive instincts during the offseason as libero for Alas Men, the UST star has become even more dynamic as an opposite hitter. 

     

    In a five-set thriller against Ateneo, he exploded for 29 points while adding 19 excellent receptions — a rare blend of offensive ferocity and backline reliability. 

     

    He followed that up with another double-double effort in a straight-sets victory over University of the East, lifting UST to three straight wins and a 3–1 slate.

     

    But like his fellow Alas Pilipinas Women colleague, Ybanez sees the bigger picture beyond weekly accolades.

     

    “If there’s something that needs to change, we work on it. Kasi we tend to go back sa mga old habits namin. Mas mapapatibay talaga yung team kapag kaming mga seniors yung maging role model ng mga bata — the consistency and the hard work,” Ybanez said.

     

    From international courts to the UAAP spotlight, Canino and Ybanez have set the tone early in Season 88. The medals and weekly citations may differ, but the message is consistent: when national team pillars return home, they raise the standard with them.

     

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  • PNVF stands firm and takes charge of 2026 AVC Women’s Cup hosting

    PNVF stands firm and takes charge of 2026 AVC Women’s Cup hosting

    The Philippine National Volleyball Federation unveiled its packed 2026 calendar on Tuesday, showcasing a lineup of major events during a press conference at its headquarters in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

     

    Among the highlights is the highly anticipated 2026 AVC Women’s Cup, and the PNVF is making it clear that it will be firmly in charge.

     

    PNVF president Anthony Liao reiterated the federation’s full control over the tournament’s organization, dismissing reports of possible outside involvement.

     

    With the tournament scheduled for June 6 to 14 in Candon City, Ilocos Sur, speculation had circulated that an external group might oversee the event. Liao quickly shut down such rumors.

    “Definitely, the PNVF will be on top of things,” he said.

     

    Liao added that recent discussions with Candon Mayor Eric Singson clarified the division of responsibilities between the host city and the federation.

     

    “We just went to Candon last week and we had discussions with Mayor Eric [Singson]. Sabi nga niya, Candon will host, PNVF will organize,” Liao explained.

     

    “‘Yun din ang sasabihin niya du’n na they will host, then they will connect,” he added.

     

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    Beyond those concerns, another speculation surprised Liao, that the Alas Pilipinas Women’s team might not compete in the home tournament.

     

    “The national team will definitely play kasi nagulat ako last week, may nagtatanong sa ’kin kung totoo raw na walang women’s team,” he said. “Sabi ko, we are hosting so imposible naman na walang women’s team. I don’t know where that came from pero definitely, ‘yung Alas women’s team will be playing there.”

     

    For Liao, hosting is about more than logistics, it’s about representation. A home tournament without the national team was never an option.

     

    Looking ahead, the federation is also exploring structural changes that could impact Philippine volleyball. 

     

    One plan would allow Alas Pilipinas head coach Tai Bundit to identify and secure national team prospects before teams make their selections in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Rookie Draft—an approach that could reshape how talent moves between national and professional programs.

     

    The 2026 AVC Women’s Cup is just one event in a packed international schedule. The Philippines is also set to compete in the 6th Asian Beach Games, the Asian Women’s U18 Championship, the 6th SEA V-League Women’s Week 1 and 2, the FIVB U17 Girls’ World Championship, and the 19th Asian Games.

     

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  • PVL and PNVF team up for special draft to strengthen Alas Pilipinas Women player pool

    PVL and PNVF team up for special draft to strengthen Alas Pilipinas Women player pool

    The Philippine women’s national volleyball program is taking a more direct route in building its future roster.

     

    In a development initiative spearheaded by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation, Alas Pilipinas Women will receive priority access to the 2026 Premier Volleyball League Draft pool, allowing head coach Tai Bundit to select players ahead of the professional teams and integrate them into the national setup.

     

    The move signals a shift in how the national team plans to sustain continuity, focusing on long-term preparation rather than short-term player availability.

     

    Under the proposed structure, Bundit and his staff will open the draft process by selecting from the incoming rookie pool. Players chosen by Alas Women will no longer be available to PVL teams during the same draft cycle, ensuring their full commitment to national team training and competitions.

     

    PNVF president Anthony Liao revealed that most league stakeholders have already expressed support for the arrangement.

     

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    Six of the league’s 10 teams have agreed to the setup, including powerhouse club programs Creamline Cool Smashers and Choco Mucho Flying Titans, both backed by Rebisco.

     

    The approach is designed to address a long-standing challenge for the national program—conflicts in player availability due to overlapping commitments with collegiate and professional schedules. In past cycles, assembling a consistent national pool often depended on negotiations between leagues and teams, sometimes disrupting preparation timelines.

     

    By selecting players directly from the draft and placing them under federation support, the PNVF hopes to eliminate those scheduling issues.

     

    Athletes chosen in the special selection process will train exclusively with Alas Pilipinas Women, with their salaries funded by the federation for at least two years. After completing that period, players may choose whether to remain in the national program or enter the PVL system.

     

    The initiative effectively transforms the draft into more than just a pathway to professional volleyball—it also becomes a structured gateway to international competition, aligning player development with the national team’s long-term goals.

     

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  • Alyssa Valdez happy to see former mentor Tai Bundit back with Alas Pilipinas Women 

    Alyssa Valdez happy to see former mentor Tai Bundit back with Alas Pilipinas Women 

    Timing has a funny way of shaping careers, and for Alyssa Valdez, Tai Bundit’s return to the Philippine women’s national volleyball team feels less like coincidence and more like a moment that has been quietly building for years.

     

    Bundit, the Thai tactician behind some of the most dominant eras in Philippine volleyball, has been appointed head coach of Alas Pilipinas Women — a role that reunites him not only with the national program, but also with familiar faces who helped define his legacy in the country.

     

    One of them is setter Jia de Guzman, now the Alas Pilipinas Women captain, who once ran Bundit’s system during their championship years together. Their paths crossed again during the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand last December, where the Philippine squad endured another painful fourth-place finish — a result that only underscored how much the program has been searching for direction.

     

    Watching from courtside was Valdez, no longer in uniform but still deeply connected to the national team, this time working as a correspondent for Cignal. From that vantage point, she saw more than just a familiar coach returning — she saw a long-awaited chance for growth.

     

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    “I’m very happy for Coach Tai. Kasi I think one of the things din na nilu-look forward niya siguro ay mag-coach ulit ng women’s at makatulong sa volleyball program ng Philippines,” Valdez said during the SEA Games. “So I’m just really happy for him.”

     

    Bundit’s history in Philippine volleyball is impossible to separate from Valdez’s own rise. Together with the Ateneo Blue Eagles, they built the “Heartstrong” identity that powered back-to-back UAAP championships in Seasons 76 and 77 — a culture that emphasized discipline, resilience, and trust.

    That same philosophy later carried over to the professional ranks, where Bundit helped establish Creamline Cool Smashers as a dynasty, winning titles in the 2018 Reinforced, 2018 Open, and 2019 Open Conferences.

     

    Yet, beyond trophies, Valdez remembers Bundit most for the way he shaped her as a player.

    “Marami rin akong natutunan kay Coach Tai,” Valdez mused. “I feel like I had my best games then under him.”

     

    Under Bundit’s guidance, Valdez claimed three UAAP Most Valuable Player awards and later earned another MVP nod in the 2018 PVL Open Conference — achievements that defined her as one of the sport’s icons.

     

    The bond clearly remains intact. During their time in Thailand, the Creamline Cool Smashers even visited Bundit’s restaurant, a quiet reminder that relationships built through volleyball often extend far beyond the court.

     

    Valdez once summed up that connection in a 2016 birthday greeting, writing: “Two different cultures. Two opposite personalities. One common denominator… passion and love for the sport.”

     

    Now, as Bundit prepares to take on the challenge of leading Alas Pilipinas Women, Valdez sees opportunity — not just for wins, but for development.

     

    “So really looking forward na makita, if ever matuloy yan, makita siya na matulungan at maturuan itong mga nasa national team natin,” she said.

     

    The Philippine National Volleyball Federation confirmed that Bundit had long been on its radar, especially with coach Jorge de Brito’s contract set to expire at the end of 2025.

     

    “Yeah, nasa wishlist siya,” PNVF president Tony Boy Liao said. “If you will say, medyo champion coach—lahat ng teams na binanggit ko, pinag-champion siya.”

     

    For Valdez, the story isn’t just about a decorated coach coming back. It’s about experience meeting urgency — and the belief that the lessons that once built champions might now help lift the national team to where it has long aspired to be.

     

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  • Alas Pilipinas Beach Volleybelles get hero’s welcome from World Balance after SEA Games breakthrough

    Alas Pilipinas Beach Volleybelles get hero’s welcome from World Balance after SEA Games breakthrough

    The echoes of history from the 2025 Southeast Asian Games are still being felt, and this time, they reached the halls of a proud Filipino brand.

     

    Fresh from delivering the Philippines’ first-ever women’s beach volleyball gold at the SEA Games last December, the Alas Pilipinas quartet of Sisi Rondina, Bernadeth Pons, Dij Rodriguez, and Sunny Villapando received special recognition from World Balance, a local sports brand that has long championed homegrown athletes.

     

    The SEA Games gold medalists were welcomed at World Balance’s new headquarters, where the visit went beyond a simple courtesy call. 

     

    The athletes were given a tour of the brand’s creative and design spaces, offering them a closer look at how campaigns are built around Filipino excellence and how sports development remains central to the company’s mission.

     

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    For World Balance, the recognition was more than a celebration—it was a statement. The brand emphasized that honoring the beach volleybelles reflects its continued commitment to supporting local athletes and spotlighting achievements that can spark inspiration among young Filipinos dreaming of representing the country.

     

    The moment carried added weight given the magnitude of the team’s SEA Games triumph. Rondina, Pons, Rodriguez, and Villapando etched their names into Philippine sports history by toppling eight-time defending champion Thailand, a victory that signaled a turning point for the country’s beach volleyball program.

     

    As accolades continue to come in, the recognition from World Balance stands as another reminder that the team’s breakthrough has not only elevated Philippine beach volleyball—but also strengthened the growing bond between local athletes and brands that believe in their potential.

     

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  • Tonyboy Liao confirms talks with Tai Bundit for Alas Pilipinas head coach role

    Tonyboy Liao confirms talks with Tai Bundit for Alas Pilipinas head coach role

    The Philippine women’s national volleyball team has been without a head coach since the conclusion of the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok, Thailand, where the squad fell short of a podium finish. The disappointing result marked the end of Jorge Souza de Brito’s tenure with the national team, prompting the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) to begin its search for a new leader as the program looks ahead to its next competitive cycle.

     

    Newly elected PNVF president Tonyboy Liao confirmed that the federation is already considering a high-profile replacement, revealing that decorated Thai coach Tai Bundit is being eyed to take over the reins of Alas Pilipinas. Liao noted that initial discussions have already taken place and that formal approval from the federation’s executive board is the next step in the process.

     

    Liao confirmed that the matter will be taken up during the PNVF executive board meeting scheduled for Thursday, February 5, where Bundit’s potential appointment will be presented for approval.

     

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    “It will be discussed in the upcoming board meeting this Thursday. I will have it approved by the PNVF executive board in our meeting on Thursday,” Liao said in a media interaction.

     

    Liao added that Bundit has expressed strong interest in the role and that most of the logistical hurdles have already been addressed, with only final clearances remaining.

    “Actually, I have talked to him about this one. He is very interested. The go-signal now is with the Rebisco management. As for the Thai federation, I have already talked to them and they are very willing to help the Philippines. So that’s one hurdle passed and it’s now up to the Rebisco management,” he added.

     

    Bundit is no stranger to Philippine volleyball, having built a decorated résumé across both the collegiate and professional ranks. The Thai tactician is currently the head coach of the Criss Cross King Crunchers, whom he recently led to the Invitational Conference title in Spikers’ Turf, further underscoring his ability to deliver immediate results.

     

    His local coaching pedigree includes a successful stint with the Ateneo women’s volleyball team from 2014 to 2018, followed by a championship-laden run with the Creamline Cool Smashers from 2017 to 2021. During that span, Bundit guided both programs to multiple Premier Volleyball League (PVL) titles, establishing himself as one of the most respected foreign coaches in the country.

     

    Meanwhile, De Brito leaves behind a meaningful legacy with Alas Pilipinas, having overseen one of the most productive periods in the program’s recent history. Under his leadership, the national team enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2024, capturing three bronze medals across the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Nations Cup and the Southeast Asian Volleyball League legs held in Vinh Phuc and Nakhon Ratchasima.

     

    The Brazilian coach built on that momentum in 2025, steering the team to a silver medal at the AVC Nations Cup and adding two more bronze medals in the V.League, further raising the program’s regional standing. Although the SEA Games podium eluded Alas Pilipinas in Bangkok, De Brito’s tenure helped lay a solid foundation of competitiveness, discipline, and belief within the squad.

     

    As the PNVF moves forward, the combination of De Brito’s groundwork and the potential arrival of Bundit offers renewed optimism for Philippine volleyball. With a coach deeply familiar with the local volleyball landscape and a roster gaining valuable international experience, Alas Pilipinas could soon find itself back on the Southeast Asian podium, poised to challenge the region’s traditional powers once more.

     

     

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  • PVL, PNVF eye targeted tryouts to strengthen Alas Pilipinas Women—not reset it

    PVL, PNVF eye targeted tryouts to strengthen Alas Pilipinas Women—not reset it

    The next chapter for Alas Pilipinas Women is shaping up to be one of refinement, not reinvention.

     

    As the Premier Volleyball League and the Philippine National Volleyball Federation move closer to a joint venture, PVL president Ricky Palou made it clear that the planned invitational tryouts for the national team are meant to build on what already exists, not wipe the slate clean.

     

    With former head coach Jorge Souza de Brito no longer part of the program, questions naturally surfaced about whether the women’s national team was headed for a major overhaul. Palou pushed back on that idea, stressing that the initiative is designed to complement the current core rather than disrupt it.

     

    While the upcoming tryouts will involve both professional and collegiate standouts, Palou emphasized that this will not be an open call.

     

    “The tryouts for the national team are not open tryouts. There will be tryouts but they [PNVF] will invite players to try out for the national team. It’s not going to be open to everybody,” Palou said.

     

    “The coaching staff will choose which 20 or 30 players will try out for the national team. It’s not really open to everyone.”

     

    For now, much of the structure remains a work in progress. The format, timeline, and even the coaching staff that will oversee the process are still being finalized, underscoring that the collaboration is very much in its early stages.

     

     

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    Rather than sparking concern, the prospect of a wider—but controlled—talent pool has been largely viewed as a step toward long-term stability for the Alas Women program, especially as the international calendar continues to grow more demanding.

     

    Team captain Jia de Guzman welcomed the idea in principle, even as her immediate focus remains on club duties with the PVL season about to tip off.

     

    “Of course, Alas is the national team of the Philippines so we want to have the best of the best at pasok sa sistema ng magiging coach,” de Guzman said.

     

    “The tryouts are also welcome but we do not have all the details yet. Right now kasi, we’re about to start the PVL club season so all of the focus is here. If there are more details in the future, we’ll hear it from the PNVF.”

     

    From the league’s standpoint, PVL control committee chairman Sherwin Malonzo echoed that sentiment, framing the tryouts as an opportunity rather than a disruption—not just for pros, but for elite collegiate players as well.

     

    “It’s a welcoming opportunity for our PVL athletes and it’s also extended to other leagues like the UAAP and NCAA,” Malonzo said.

     

    “It’s a way of beefing up the Alas team for the coming years. I hope our players will still take that opportunity and try out.”

     

    As plans continue to take shape, the message from all sides is consistent: the goal is not a reset, but a smarter, more sustainable path forward for Alas Pilipinas Women.

     

     

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