A remarkable journey awaits us as we delve into the accomplishments of the Alas Pilipinas Women's Volleyball Team, a force to be reckoned with in the region. Prepare to be inspired by their rapid ascent and the medals they've brought home, igniting a new era for Philippine volleyball.
The Rise of a Contender
In a span of just over a year, the Alas Pilipinas Women have gone from a fresh, rebranded program to a formidable regional powerhouse. Their journey began in 2024 when the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) unveiled the 'Alas Pilipinas' brand, signaling a new chapter for the women's national team.
May 2024: A New Beginning
On May 15, 2024, the PNVF officially introduced the Alas Pilipinas brand, uniting the women's and men's national teams under a single, confident identity. The name 'Alas' embodies national pride and a unified vision to redefine the Philippines' standing in international volleyball.
2024 AVC Women's Challenge Cup: A Historic Bronze
The tournament that sparked it all! In their first outing under the new banner, the Alas Women delivered a performance for the ages, winning the bronze medal at the AVC Challenge Cup. This marked an unprecedented achievement, as the Philippines finally claimed a podium finish in an AVC-sanctioned event after over six decades.
Team captain and setter Jia De Guzman showcased her precision and leadership, earning praise for her role in orchestrating the team's offense. Rising star Angel Canino made her mark as the team's top scorer, clinching the Best Opposite Spiker award in her debut international outing.
2024 SEA V.League: Building Consistency
Riding the wave of their continental success, the Alas Women carried their momentum into the 2024 SEA Women's V.League. Competing against the best in Southeast Asia, the national team secured back-to-back bronze medals across two legs of the tournament, beating Indonesia along the way.
De Guzman continued her stellar performance, winning the Best Setter award in Leg 1, while Thea Gagate took home the Best Middle Blocker plum. New additions like Alyssa Solomon and Dell Palomata seamlessly integrated into the team, adding firepower to an already promising squad.
2025 AVC Nations Cup: Silver in Hanoi
The defining moment for the Alas Pilipinas program arrived in June 2025 at the AVC Women's Nations Cup in Hanoi, Vietnam. After a series of impressive wins, the Filipina spikers stormed into the Finals and secured a historic silver medal, their highest finish in a continental competition to date.
De Guzman's playmaking skills were on full display, ranking among the top three setters in the tournament. Angel Canino solidified her role as the team's scoring powerhouse, ranking among the AVC leaders in points, attacks, and service aces. Eya Laure shone in the breakthrough semifinals victory against Chinese Taipei, scoring six crucial points in the deciding fifth set.
2025 SEA V.League: Sustaining Success
Just weeks after their Nations Cup triumph, the Alas Women returned to the regional stage and claimed bronze medals in both the first and second legs of the 2025 SEA Women's V.League, held in Thailand and Vietnam. With a solid core led by Canino, Belen, and Palomata, and seamless integration of newcomers, the team showcased depth and durability.
Justine Jazareno made her mark, winning the Best Libero award during the second leg. The national team's improvement against regional powerhouses was evident, as they found ways to take sets against Thailand and Vietnam.
The Road to SEA Games 2025
All eyes are now on the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, where the Alas Women aim to bring home the country's flag to new heights. It's been two decades since the Philippines last stood on the SEA Games podium, and 33 years since their last golden moment.
With a strong lineup and determined leadership, the Alas Women are hungry for victory. The biennial meet is scheduled for December 10-19 at the Huamark Indoor Stadium in Bangkok.
And here's where it gets controversial...
What do you think? Can the Alas Pilipinas Women bring home the gold at SEA Games 2025? Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments! Let's discuss and celebrate the journey of this remarkable team.
