The Rise of the Philippines' Women's Volleyball Team: A Timeline of Success
From Rebranding to Regional Dominance: The Journey of Alas Pilipinas Women
The world of women's volleyball witnessed a remarkable transformation in 2024 with the emergence of the Alas Pilipinas Women's team. In just over a year, they've gone from a newly rebranded program to a force to be reckoned with in regional competitions, now setting their sights on the 2025 Southeast Asian Games.
A New Era: The Birth of Alas Pilipinas
On May 15, 2024, the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) unveiled the 'Alas Pilipinas' program, marking a new era for the women's national volleyball team. The name 'Alas' embodied confidence and national pride, signifying a unified identity aimed at redefining the Philippines' presence on the international volleyball stage.
Breaking Barriers: Historic Bronze at the 2024 AVC Women's Challenge Cup
The team's first major tournament under the new banner was the 2024 AVC Women's Challenge Cup. In front of a home crowd, the Alas Women delivered a historic performance, capturing the bronze medal. This marked the country's first podium finish in an AVC-sanctioned tournament in over six decades. The team's captain and setter, Jia De Guzman, earned praise for her leadership, while rising star Angel Canino powered through defenses as the team's top scorer, clinching the Best Opposite Spiker award.
Building Consistency: Success in the 2024 SEA V.League
Riding the momentum of their continental breakthrough, the Alas Women carried their form into the 2024 SEA Women's V.League. Competing against Southeast Asia's top squads, the national team earned back-to-back bronze medals across two legs of the tournament after beating Indonesia. De Guzman took home the Best Setter award, while Thea Gagate bagged the Best Middle Blocker plum, underscoring the program's growing consistency.
Silver in Hanoi: A Defining Moment at the 2025 AVC Nations Cup
The defining moment of the Alas Pilipinas program arrived in June 2025 at the AVC Women's Nations Cup in Hanoi, Vietnam. After a series of impressive wins, the Filipina spikers stormed into the Finals and secured a historic silver medal, their highest-ever finish in a continental competition. De Guzman anchored the playmaking with a blend of control and composure, ranking among the top three setters in the entire tournament. Canino cemented her place as the program's scoring engine, finishing among the AVC leaders in points, attacks, and service aces.
Sustaining Success: Bronze in the 2025 SEA V.League
Just weeks after their Nations Cup triumph, the Alas Women returned to the regional stage and claimed bronze medals in both the first and second legs of the 2025 SEA Women's V.League, held in Thailand and Vietnam. With Canino, Belen, and Palomata anchoring the core and newcomers seamlessly integrating into the system, the team displayed depth and durability. Justine Jazareno also made her mark after taking home the Best Libero award during the second leg.
Setting Sights on the 2025 SEA Games: A Golden Opportunity
With arguably its strongest lineup yet and leadership already in place, the Alas Women are hungry and determined to raise the country's flag higher than ever before. The biennial SEA Games is scheduled to take place from December 10 to 19 at the Huamark Indoor Stadium in Bangkok. The team's journey from rebranding to regional dominance serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes, showcasing the power of hard work, teamwork, and a unified national identity.
The Storyteller: Kiko Demigillo's Journey
Kiko Demigillo's journey in sports storytelling began with a deep passion for games and athletes, which eventually grew into a full-fledged career. Now a dedicated sportswriter, Kiko covers a wide range of beats for One Sports, including the PVL, UAAP, PBA, and various international tournaments.
