Fil-Am spiker Jackson Reed made his long-awaited debut for Alas Pilipinas, calling it a full-circle moment to join the national team in honor of his grandfather.
It may have taken a year longer than expected, but Fil-Am spiker Jackson Reed finally suited up for Alas Pilipinas, and the long wait made his debut all the more meaningful.
Reed officially introduced himself to the local volleyball scene during the Alas Pilipinas Invitationals, a moment he had been anticipating since his initial call-up in 2024.
“It’s been a year in the making. I was supposed to be on the team last year, but I got really sick here the first time,” he said. “Everything’s gone full circle, and it feels amazing.”
Born and raised in the United States, Reed traces his Filipino heritage through his mother and grandfather, who hailed from Pangasinan and helped bring their family to the U.S.
“My grandpa wasn’t naturalized in the United States until 1969, and my mom was born in 1968. So, therefore, by law, I’m a Filipino citizen, and I got my citizenship last year,” the University of Southern California product explained.
Reed, who knows how tough it is to break through the U.S. national team program, embraced the chance to suit up for the Philippines not just for career growth—but as a tribute to family.
“I feel like this is an opportunity that a lot of people back home in the US don’t get… I just want to do something different, and I wanted to honor my grandfather.”
So far, the transition into the national team has been smooth.
In his first game for the national team, Reed contributed three points, all of which came in the second set, in Alas' four-set victory over Korean V-League champions Hyundai Capital Skywalkers.
“Everybody here is so nice and welcoming, and I couldn’t ask for a better group of guys to go to battle with,” said Reed.
And the fan support? Reed is embracing it fully.
“Overwhelming? I wouldn’t say so because I love it,” he said. “We don’t have stuff like this back home, and coming over here and experiencing something new is honestly what I came here for, and I’m loving it.”
Reed and the rest of Alas Men will look to close out the Invitationals on a perfect note when they take on the Thailand Men's National Volleyball Team tomorrrow at 7:30 p.m.