Alas Pilipinas to set up Japan training camp ahead of SEA V.League

The Alas Pilipinas Women have wrapped up a short campaign in the 2024 FIVB Challenger Cup after falling to powerhouse Vietnam in straight sets on Friday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. 

The Filipinas, though, aren't about to slow down as the squad looks to further improve ahead of bigger tournaments in the future.
 
Head coach Jorge de Brito said that build-up starts right away next week as the Filipinas are tipped to set up an intensive training camp in Japan from July 14 to 25 in preparation for the two legs of SEA V. League that Vietnam and Thailand will host in August.

The Brazilian tactician said that Alas will retain the same lineup that saw action in the Challenger Cup bannered by team captain Jia De Guzman and other veterans like Sisi Rondina and Dawn Macandili-Catindig as well as rising stars in Angel Canino, Bella Belen, and Thea Gagate. 

"[We will have a] training camp in Japan next week [from July] 14 to 25. We're going there with this lineup and we're gonna add some players to go there so [the] total is 18," De Brito said. 

De Brito, though, isn't thinking too far ahead, especially in their Southeast Asian Games campaign next year in Thailand but stressed that collective support from all stakeholders could spell the difference in ending years of medal drought in the regional biennial event. 

"It's far to think but there's still time to work. We have one and a half years to do that [so there's] enough time. If we're supported by the clubs and the schools, then we can do it," he said. 

"We need the support from the fans, clubs, companies, UAAP board, PVL board, and team owners. All of us are part of the Philippine environment so we need to work really really together. We're not gonna win, we're not gonna get better without the support."

De Guzman, on the other hand, said their campaign at the SEA V.League will be instrumental in gearing up for the SEA Games as the opponents will be pretty much the same.

"After today’s game, we go back to the drawing board, we go back to training, improve what we can from this game, individually and as a team," the veteran playmaker said. 

"Gano'n din naman talaga ang volleyball."

—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News