ALAS Pilipinas Women head coach Jorge Souza de Brito has been on the receiving end of public flogging following the Nationals’ recent string of performances in international play.
Despite bagging bronze twice in both legs of the 5th SEA V.League, Filipino fans weren’t too pleased with de Brito’s decision-making and choice of player rotations.
Such a show of dismay on social media went as far as online petitions seeking the dismissal of the Brazilian coach.
READ: Alas asserts mastery of Indonesia for another SEA V.League bronze
One of the fan-led petitions even garnered over 3,600 signatures as of posting time.
With medals and breakthroughs still swinging the Nationals’ way, de Brito isn’t getting too caught up on the wave of criticism being thrown at him.
“I really don’t care what others say because they are not there everyday, they don’t work with the players everyday,” said de Brito.
“For the first time in my life, I came for someone that is criticizing because I don’t look at the news. I’m here talking to you but I’m sure that I’m not looking at any interview because I know that what I’ll say, it’s always those guys that will repeat what I say.
“My players are really connected with us and on the same page. We just work and work hard and work properly to defend the flag. That’s it.”
His hope for Alas’ legions of supporters is to continue what they’ve always done through years and national teams past — back the country’s players.
“I think they have to keep on doing what fans do, which is to support the team because in our side, we’re gonna do the same. We’re gonna work hard because it’s not only one team, it’s a team that represents a country, represents the flag,” de Brito said.
“The work is always hard and we need to be serious. For the fans, be sure that you’re gonna work a lot and on the right side for the team.”
'Believe in the system'
Captain Jia de Guzman backed de Brito in affirming the Nationals’ unwavering trust in the program and vision being built for Philippine women’s volleyball.
“We knew that to stay in the team, we had to believe in the system, the coach's system, kay coach Jorge,” de Guzman said.
“Everyone is working towards the same direction. We're very happy naman na everyone is doing what they can to contribute to what we're building now.”
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