The Alas Pilipinas program see slow but sure progress in 2024 under the tutelage of foreign coaches and renewed focus to building long-term teams.
Alas Pilipinas surged forward in their program in men’s and women’s volleyball after showing signs of success in 2024, as added experience highlighted the team’s progress through this year.
The year started out brightly enough with a revamped program that featured younger, up-and-coming players.
In the women’s side, the team was bannered by Jia De Guzman and Dawn Macandili-Catindig, but also featured those fresh from, or still in, the college ranks with the likes of Angel Canino, Thea Gagate, and Bella Belen also garnering more playing time under coach Jorge de Brito.
The team’s investment into the future ended up paying dividends early on with a historic bronze medal finish in the country’s hosting of the AVC Challenge Cup last May.
Despite having only a few days of preparation, the new-look Alas Pilipinas were able to get ahead of expectations and bagged the Philippines’ first AVC medal in 63 years, beating Australia for the bronze.
The team, which later also featured the likes of Sisi Rondina, Eya Laure, Alyssa Solomon, and Jema Galanza, likewise had a pair of bronze medals with podium finishes in the SEA V.League.
Not to mention the team’s multiple individual awards, which included Canino, De Guzman, and Solomon among the awardees.
Their success was also powered by a couple of training camps abroad, which also featured international friendlies with teams like South Korea.
Over on the men’s side, they went under new management with the arrival of coach Angiolino Frigoni of Italy, who has since shaped the team to a rising contender.
Like their women counterparts, the Alas Pilipinas men’s team also had two bronze medals from the SEA V.League.
They’re also looking to translate this success as the team heads to a historic participation in the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship, which happens in Manila next year.
With both programs doing their best to go toe-to-toe with big-time volleyball teams in the world, as evidenced by their friendlies against Japanese teams also this year, Alas is eager to do more and continue on their road to progress in 2025.