Philippine volleyball will be facing a stern test in the Thailand Southeast Asian Games. The sport is enjoying a popularity unseen in decades where its best players had been treated like rock stars and its games breaking attendance records.
But converting those qualities in the form of medals is another matter. The women's volleyball team, collectively known as Alas, as in Aces, has not had a podium finish in 20 years. Yes, that long.
Jia de Guzman, the team captain of this year's campaign, hopes the long wait will soon be over.
READ: Belen, Nitura, Canino lead 14-woman Alas team for SEA Games
“Every SEA Games I have experienced, palaging may challenge talaga. We're going up against teams na paulit-ulit nating sinasabi na had time to prepare for this because we know naman when SEA Games will happen, it's every two years,” de Guzman said.
“But it doesn't change the fact that the girls, the team, the coaches, we work hard every day to do what we can despite whatever is happening.”
This year’s lead-up has been no exception. From lineup uncertainties to limited training days, Alas Women once again had to stitch continuity together on the fly.
“We do wish that we had more time to prepare for this, but nevertheless, ‘yung communication, ‘yung familiarity, we have that,” the captain said, looking at the positives.
Those struggles de Guzman may work to their advantage, she said.
It has now been a little over a year since the Alas Pilipinas program was introduced. It has, brought a system designed to establish long-term direction for the sport, from grassroots development all the way to the elite team competing in tournaments overseas.
For de Guzman, that structure has offered something the national team has long lacked: continuity.
The reassurance of having a core group to train and develop, tournament after tournament, gives the squad a foundation she believes will be crucial as they enter a SEA Games campaign laden with expectations.
“Ever since the Alas program started last year, the SEA Games was already in the timeline. It's part of the plan. Actually, we just keep adding to the plans that we have in the long run. We also have the 2029 World Championships coming up,” de Guzman said.
“Kaya every tournament, every training camp, every local training day that we spend, it's one step closer to being the team that we want to be.
“Whatever level we reach, we want to give our best talaga sa tournament na ‘to, especially the SEA Games which is very important in the Philippines.”
‘Everyone’s ready to go’
Even as injuries, availability issues and last-minute adjustments continue to hover over every national team, de Guzman sees stability where chaos once reigned.
And that’s not something past versions of national teams can can relate to.
“We've gone up against some of the teams that we're going to play against this SEA Games. May confidence kami in that the system is there na kapag may isang mawala, there's someone else ready to step up,” de Guzman said.
“Nandun yung trust namin sa isa't-isa na pagbalik namin ng national team, pagpasok namin ulit ng training with Alas Pilipinas, kaya namin ulit mag-jell together with everyone ready to go.”
“Technically, we're only going to play four games for this tournament, so ‘yung best of that country at that moment will be on the court and we have to be ready to play against that," the skipper said.
“Regardless of may mga mawala, regardless of may mga bagong madagdag, ganyan din ‘yung tingin nila sa amin.
“Kaya I just always tell the girls to stay healthy, that no matter where you are training, always keep in mind that you are training for a higher purpose.”
Across 23 SEA Games editions since 1977, the Philippines owns six gold, three silver, and four bronze medals in women’s volleyball.
The team's target is modest. It will be happy with a bronze, which it last won in Bacolod in 2005. But who knows? With dedication, desire and determination, the result may be much better.
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