All eyes are on head coach Jorge De Brito and Alas Pilipinas Women as they look to end the country's 20-year SEA Games podium drought in women's volleyball.
As Alas Pilipinas Women prepare for the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, head coach Jorge De Brito stressed that their focus is on the country and the team’s growth, not on proving detractors wrong.
Asked whether finally winning a SEA Games medal would serve as redemption or a response to doubters, De Brito dismissed the idea and redirected the focus to the team’s long-term work.
“The results will come. Good or not, it will come. Not easy, again, not easy, but for sure, I'm not thinking about that. And even what they said before, because even the players, they already know,” De Brito told One Sports.
[ALSO READ: Jorge de Brito confident Alas Pilipinas Women can break SEA Games podium drought]
The Brazilian tactician added that the pursuit of a long-awaited podium finish for the SEA Games is rooted in discipline, consistency, and pride in representing the country.
“I think the guys just stay until now, they know they have to work hard every single day, even to get the bronze, even to get the silver," he said.
"When we finish the competition, we need to start to prove again. But it's not for the people, it's not for the fans, it's for the flag [and] for themselves.”
Hard work beyond the competition
De Brito stressed that fans often only see the matches and whether they win or lose, not the challenges the program faces behind closed doors.
“You guys just look at the competition [not] how we're struggling during the time of training, and how to make it a consistent line-up of training together. So, it's a lot of things that we're going to be happy [about], even if you don't get the medal, but you get some results, internal results that you deserve,” he explained.
[ALSO READ: Jia De Guzman sees SEA Games as culmination of Alas Pilipinas' two-year journey]
Though the SEA Games do not grant points in terms of FIVB rankings, De Brito said the level of competition is just as fierce. In facing teams like Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia, the weight of their task is still quite heavy.
What a SEA Games medal would mean
For De Brito, delivering a SEA Games medal would be a meaningful way to honor the players’ effort and the country he has served for four years.
The Philippines last won a medal in 2005 with a bronze, and the last SEA Games gold medal came all the way back in 1993.
“I feel happy to deliver something, giving something back to the country for the last four years. I'm here fighting and celebrating every single victory, crying after losing, and trying to find the best way to do our best job, to bring the best players and make the best lineup,” De Brito said.
“For sure, any good result that you got, that you're going to get in this case, for me, you're going to be super proud of the players, and I'll be happy with the fans also.”
[ALSO READ: Eya Laure locked in as Alas Pilipinas chase long-awaited SEA Games women’s volleyball medal]
20 years since the country's last medal, the 2025 campaign serves as one of the most significant tests for De Brito and the current national program.
Alas Women will begin their SEA Games journey on December 11 against hosts and reigning 14-time champions Thailand.
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Kiko Demigillo’s journey in sports storytelling began with a deep passion for games and athletes, which eventually grew into a full-fledged career.
Now a dedicated sportswriter, Kiko covers a wide range of beats for One Sports, including the PVL, UAAP, PBA, and various international tournaments.