JORGE Souza de Brito will remain as head coach of Alas Pilipinas Women until the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games next December.
READ: Jorge de Brito wishes to see these players in an expanded Alas pool
After weeks of uncertainty, Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) president Ramon ’Tats’ Suzara confirmed the news alongside the rest of the squad on Friday after their exhibition match in South Korea.
Tats gets his wish granted
“After careful thought, consideration, and consultation with the PNVF board, I would like to officially announce that we would like to retain coach Jorge [Souza de Brito] until the SEA Games 2025,” said Suzara.
“There are so many events up ahead for Alas Pilipinas so let’s continue supporting the team and the program," he added.
The announcement was made shortly after a breakthrough friendly match between Alas and Korean club team Powerful Daegu, which ended in five thrilling sets in favor of the hosts as part of the 126th Philippine Independence Day and 75th Diplomatic Relations celebrations between the Philippines and Korea.
Late change of fate
The Brazilian mentor's three-year contract as Alas head coach by virtue of the International Volleyball Federation's (FIVB) national team development and empowerment program was set to expire by the end of June.
Moreover, de Brito's supposed-to-be next call of duty was once ironed out as he'd immediately take over the Chinese Taipei national team.
But after the public clamor and the PNVF's desire for continuity following a historic bronze-medal run in the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup for Women on home soil, de Brito's expected departure turned into a groundbreaking contract extension to at least until the end of 2025.
The de Brito-led Alas side will lead the country's bid to end a two-decade podium drought in the 2025 edition of the SEA Games from December 7 to 19 in the cities of Bangkok, Chonburi and Songkhla.
Until then, the Philippines look to finish the national team calendar year strong with the 2024 FIVB Women's Challenger Cup in July and the 2024 SEA V.League in August.
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