Coach Jorge de Brito and Alas Pilipinas keep their guard up against Mongolia to start the AVC Nations Cup.
As a new-look Alas Pilipinas begin their 2025 AVC Nations Cup journey, head coach Jorge de Brito is urging caution and focus—especially with an unpredictable opponent waiting in the wings.
The national team opens its Pool B schedule in Vietnam against Mongolia, a squad that did not participate in last year’s edition in Manila, but remains a potential threat.
With limited scouting information and the unpredictability of tournament openers, de Brito is not taking anything for granted.
“Even if they [Mongolia] didn’t join, they are practicing, they’ve been performing,” said de Brito.
“Right now it’s a surprise for us [and] they got notice about our team, so it’s going to be hard. Also, it’s the first match, it’s always hard. The first match is always different.”
Alas Pilipinas enter the tournament off a historic bronze medal finish last year.
And while the core of Jia de Guzman, Angel Canino, and Thea Gagate remains intact, reinforcements from the UAAP—Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon, and Shaina Nitura—add a new dimension to the lineup.
Alas takes on Mongolia at 4:00 p.m. Saturday.
(With reports from Mei-Lin Lozada)
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[Editor's note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital with the help of AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]