WILL Jorge Souza de Brito still call the shots for the national team when the Philippines hosts the 2029 FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship?
He’s taking it day-by-day - or in this case, year-by-year.
Four years since arriving in the Philippines, de Brito now stands four more years away from possibly taking Alas Pilipinas to the world stage for only the second time in Philippine history.
READ: How Alas Women can qualify for 2027 FIVB Worlds before 2029 hosting
The thing is, amid all the talk on his coaching post, the Brazilian mentor isn’t keen on looking too far ahead.
However, part of him’s admittedly working his way towards that goal of building a battle-ready national team for 2029.
“Let's not talk about the future in terms of I want to be or I will be (Alas head coach by then),” he told SPIN.ph.
“Right now, since I came here, I'm working every single day trying to develop the team, so we get some results […] The pressure is always there and it's a privilege for the coaches.
“This is my job. This is the job of every coach here […] It's not being selfish, but I'm working now there (for 2029). I'm planning for that.”
How about 2027?
With a World Championship spot already guaranteed for 2029 by virtue of being hosts, there’s actually one for the taking for the Filipinos two years earlier.
The Philippines can qualify for the 2027 edition of the global conclave either through securing medal places in continental championships or by landing at least a top 30 world ranking spot at the end of next year’s qualification windows.
Is 2027 in de Brito’s sight, or will all energy be poured onto the 2029 hosting?
“We're not waiting for 2029. We have to go for 2027, but not by just looking at 2027. It's a day-by-day work,” he said.
“You have to fight to take some more positions. We are number 46 now in the ranking. To get the next tournament, we need to be [at least] in 32.
“We have to handle this seriously on the training and competition that you can get these points. Realistically talking, we need to.”
A ‘do-or-die’ 2025
While plans are slowly being laid down for the next few years, there’s still one major hurdle de Brito must overcome this year before even looking forward to the future.
The 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Thailand this December will be a decisive one for de Brito’s future with the national team.
SPIN.ph understands that the Brazilian mentor’s contract extension with Alas hinges on breaking the country’s 20-year medal drought in the biennial meet.
Amid balancing his PVL duties with Capital1 and his commitment to the national team, de Brito knows the gravity of what it would mean to deliver the best possible result in the SEA Games - and vows not to lose sight of that goal.
“If you have a chance to keep on training, I think you are in a good mood to get that medal. But you're not the only one fighting for that. The other countries are doing the same,” he said.
“You have expectations because in last year’s competitions, we’ve always been there in the top four, top three. But you know, SEA Games is so emotional. It means a lot for the country.
“We can do more, of course, but we have to be consistent in planning and developing the guys. That's why we need the support from the other leagues, other coaches.”
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
