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  • 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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  • 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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  • 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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  • PNVF, PVL partner to strengthen Philippine women’s volleyball pipeline

    PNVF, PVL partner to strengthen Philippine women’s volleyball pipeline

    Newly elected Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) president Tony Boy Liao recently confirmed plans to address the federation’s longstanding differences with the Premier Volleyball League (PVL), a move aimed at strengthening the development pipeline for the national team following the country’s performance at the 2025 Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) in Bangkok, Thailand.

     

    While 2025 has been a generally productive year for Philippine women’s volleyball, the SEA Games marked a notable setback. Alas Pilipinas, the national women’s squad, finished fourth in Bangkok, extending the country’s volleyball medal drought at the SEA Games to 20 years. This came despite earlier successes in the year, including a historic silver medal at the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Nations Cup and two bronze medals in the Southeast Asian Volleyball League, which demonstrated the team’s growing competitiveness in regional competitions.

     

    During the tenure of former PNVF president Tats Suzara, tensions reportedly arose between the federation and the PVL over the release of top professional players for national team duty. Of the 14 players on the SEA Games roster, nine were drawn from the PVL, highlighting the league’s importance to national team success. However, scheduling conflicts, particularly during the critical May-to-September international window, frequently became a source of friction between PVL team owners and the national federation. These conflicts occasionally hindered the national team’s preparation for international tournaments.

     

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    Upon taking office, Tony Boy Liao emphasized collaboration and unity as central pillars of his leadership. In line with this vision, the PNVF has now announced a formal partnership with the PVL, designed to foster closer coordination between the federation and the country’s premier professional volleyball league. The goal is to ensure that national team selections are streamlined, players are available for key international competitions, and the overall talent pool for Philippine women’s volleyball continues to grow.

     

    Under this partnership, PVL players will be invited to try out for the Alas Pilipinas women’s team, giving professional athletes the opportunity to compete for national team spots in a structured and transparent process. The tryouts will also be open to standout athletes from collegiate and university programs, allowing the federation to identify promising talent across multiple levels of Philippine volleyball.

    “As part of this collaboration, an invitational tryout for the Alas Pilipinas women’s team will open to PVL players. It will also be open to athletes from university and collegiate programs,” the PNVF stated.

     

    The federation added: “This partnership is a significant step toward the betterment of Philippine volleyball, strengthening collaboration between national, professional, and collegiate programs. Together, PNVF and PVL are committed to developing elite athletes, expanding opportunities, and building a stronger future for Philippine volleyball.”

     

    Volleyball analysts say the move could be a turning point for the sport in the Philippines, as it not only addresses historical scheduling and player availability conflicts but also creates a clearer pathway from collegiate and professional programs to the national team. By widening the pool of eligible players and formalizing coordination between leagues, the PNVF-PVL partnership may help ensure that the national team can compete at the highest level in upcoming regional and international tournaments, including the Asian Games and future SEA Games editions.

     

    For Tony Boy Liao and the PNVF, the collaboration signals a new era of unity and strategic planning in Philippine volleyball. With professional, collegiate, and national programs now working in tandem, the federation aims to build a sustainable system that nurtures talent, develops elite athletes, and restores the country’s standing in regional and global competitions.

     

    As preparations ramp up for the next SEA Games cycle, volleyball fans across the Philippines will be watching closely, hopeful that this strengthened partnership will finally end decades of near-misses and deliver lasting success for Alas Pilipinas.

     

     

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