Head coach Jorge De Brito explains the absences of both Maddie Madayag and Amie Provido from the Alas Pilipinas lineup for the AVC Nations Cup.
Two popular names were notably absent from the final lineup of Alas Pilipinas Women for the upcoming 2025 AVC Women’s Volleyball Nations Cup—Maddie Madayag and Amie Provido.
While both have been part of the national team pool, Alas head coach Jorge De Brito clarified their exclusions ahead of this international cycle.
Madayag, who recently returned from playing in Japan, joined the national team pool later than most. According to De Brito, she requested additional time off following her stint overseas, and the coaching staff agreed to a recovery-focused plan.
“She came late because she came from Japan, and she asked for a little more time off before joining the pool. We had some physical issues with her at first, but now she’s 100 percent,” De Brito told One Sports.
Rather than rush her into action for the Nations Cup, the coaching staff decided to hold Madayag out to focus on long-term goals.
“Even when she joined, we already had a plan: her target was to join the second competition.”
This means Madayag remains firmly in the national team’s roadmap and is expected to return for upcoming tournaments, most notably the VTV Cup in late June to July.
[ALSO READ: Alas Pilipinas set to compete in 2025 VTV Cup in Vietnam]
On the other hand, Provido impressed many with her performances for the DLSU Lady Spikers during UAAP Season 87 and earned a spot in the Alas training pool.
While she didn't crack the final roster for the Nations, De Brito made it clear that Provido also remains part of the Alas program’s future.
“She did a really good job during the UAAP. She deserves to be here. Right now, we just have many other middle blockers, but she’s on the way.”
Provido continues to train with the national team, gaining experience and development alongside veterans and established players.
“She has a good level. A lot to grow, a lot to improve. But the skills are already there. She’s a really nice person, and it’s important to be surrounded by a group stronger than you—to learn and share experiences.”
Without the two, De Brito will lean on Thea Gagate, Fifi Sharma, Dell Palomata, and Cla Loresco for the upcoming AVC tournament.
Alas Women are already in Vietnam as they gear up for the Nations Cup, which will begin on June 7.
[ALSO READ: SCHEDULE: Alas Pilipinas Women ready to test mettle in AVC Women’s Volleyball Nations Cup]