A cohesive team, a coach with vision and patience, and a federation that embraced long-term progress—these were the pillars behind Alas Pilipinas’ stirring silver-medal finish in the AVC Women’s Volleyball Nations Cup 2025 in Hanoi.

The Filipinas fell to world No. 25 Vietnam in the finals, 25-15, 25-17, 25-14, on Saturday night, but their spirited run and remarkable improvement captivated fans and confirmed that Philippine volleyball is firmly on the rise.

“We’re happy for second place, we’re on the way… it’s a process,” said Brazilian head coach Jorge Souza De Brito, whose tenure under the FIVB Empowerment Program has helped mold the team into a legitimate regional contender.

Jia de Guzman, awarded Best Setter for the second straight year, echoed the significance of the silver medal:

“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.”

Progress built over years, not months

Since the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) took charge in 2021, the national women’s team has skyrocketed in world rankings—from No. 156 to No. 58 in just three years. The rapid ascent has been powered by an intentional, collaborative effort from stakeholders—both public and private.

“The entire program is a team and federation effort that couldn’t be achieved without the stakeholders,” said PNVF President Ramon “Tats” Suzara, who is also AVC President and FIVB Executive Vice President.

Senators Alan Peter and Pia Cayetano, along with sponsors like Rebisco, PLDT, Akari, Meralco, Asics, MWell, and sports patron Manuel V. Pangilinan, have helped shape the environment for sustainable volleyball development.

Alas Pilipinas finished the tournament with a 4-2 record. Alongside de Guzman, Angel Canino (Best Outside Spiker) and Dell Palomata (Best Middle Blocker) were recognized with individual awards, underscoring the talent emerging from this new generation of Filipino athletes.

“Slowly but surely, we’re progressing as a country in volleyball and I’m really proud of the team,” added de Guzman.

De Brito, whose coaching stint concludes at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand this December, called on stakeholders to preserve and invest in the current lineup.

“They trust the process. They are strong, focused, and play not just for the game, but for the flag. That’s what will make this team successful in the long run.”

As the journey continues, the message is clear: Alas Pilipinas is not just chasing medals—they are building a legacy.