The Philippine women’s volleyball team, Alas Pilipinas, is aiming to return to the podium at the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Thailand, scheduled from December 9 to 20, 2025.
Following their historic silver medal finish at the AVC Challenge Cup, now rebranded as the AVC Women’s Volleyball Nations Cup in Hanoi on June 14, the team is riding a wave of momentum and national pride.
The silver medal was the Philippines’ first podium finish at an Asian-level tournament in 64 years, marking a milestone for the program. Head coach Jorge Edson Souza de Brito credited the team’s growth and chemistry as key to their recent success and confirmed that the current 25-player pool will be retained leading into the SEA Games campaign.
Roster Continuity and Strong Foundation
Led by team captain and Best Setter awardee Jia de Guzman, the squad also features standout middle blocker Dell Palomata and outside spiker Angel Canino–both of whom earned individual accolades at the Hanoi tournament. De Brito emphasized that roster stability, coupled with continued preparation, will be crucial to their SEA Games push.
The team is set to participate in the VTV Cup in Vietnam and the Southeast Asian V. League in August as part of its buildup. The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) has reiterated its support, with President Ramon “Tats” Suzara noting that while the SEA Games does not offer FIVB ranking points, it remains the primary target for the national women’s program this year.
Historic Goal Within Reach
The Philippines last reached the SEA Games podium in 2005 with a bronze finish and won gold back in 1993. With the recent breakthrough at the AVC Nations Cup, Alas Pilipinas hopes to finally convert years of development into a medal-winning campaign in Thailand.
De Brito acknowledged the steep competition posed by regional powerhouses such as Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia but expressed confidence in the team’s mix of experience, youth, and improving synergy. With more training camps and international matches lined up, the team is preparing not just to compete but to win. Their goal is clear: to bring home a SEA Games medal and mark a new era for Philippine volleyball.
