AFTER a gut-wrenching repeat loss to Indonesia in the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games bronze-medal match, Alas Pilipinas Women head coach Jorge Souza de Brito refused to be swayed by criticism or speculation about the program’s future.
The Philippines suffered a narrow 26-28, 25-13, 28-30, 24-26 loss, extending the Nationals’ wait for a SEA Games podium to 20 years, with Indonesia continuing to block their medal bid for the fourth consecutive edition.
READ: Alas Women fall out of SEA Games podium after losing to Indonesia
Despite a dismaying setback, the 59-year-old Brazilian mentor emphasized that social media chatter and online criticism that will follow are just inconsequential noise.
“I’m not in the point that I can answer for the future of the national team,” de Brito said shortly after the defeat.
“Not to talk about pointing fingers, but you need to treat with respect the national team. I don’t care about the social media. This is not important for me. I don’t give a damn.
“But the problem is, you have to, as part of the environment of volleyball, treat [the national team] much better.”
While acknowledging the natural disappointment that comes with losing a medal, de Brito stressed that the team’s brave stand nonetheless should not be overlooked.
“Just like every Filipino, it's different than the guys who cannot go in the court. You can feel super bad more than ever, but you know, it's a game,” he said.
“For the country, it's always that you want to do the best. You're there inside in the court, it's super hard and I felt bad, but the national team is much more than this.”
Even with the bronze medal slipping through their fingers, the Brazilian mentor urged his players to keep on looking forward to the future after fighting under less-than-ideal conditions to represent the Philippines on the international stage.
“You don't think too much in the last one, it's only the next and the next,” de Brito said.
“You may feel bad, but [be] comfortable to fight and keep on fighting. It's super hard, but yeah.”
Alas Women will sign off on a rollercoaster year with a historic Nations Cup silver and two SEA V.League bronze medals, all serving as encouraging indicators of the program’s potential and growth despite limited preparation time and other logistical challenges.
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