THE Alas Pilipinas national women’s volleyball team’s road to sustained success might be a rocky one but the Nationals are more than willing to trek the hard way.
The Filipina spikers’ grit and mettle were tested during the quarterfinals of the FIVB Volleyball Challenger Cup last Friday against Southeast Asian powerhouse and AVC Challenge Cup champion Vietnam.
They fell short but coach Jorge Souza de Brito is not one to give up.
“Vietnam is No. 2. Indonesia is No. 3 and Thailand, of course, is No. 1. It’s always a challenge for us but we’re trying to improve as well,” Souza de Brito said. “What we have to do is play hard and minimize the distance between the No. 4 to No. 3 and then be able to beat them.
“It’s not a long way but it’s hard. Every step is really hard,” he added.
The Brazilian tactician is convinced a podium finish in next year’s Southeast Asian Games in Thailand is not farfetched.
“It’s far to think but there’s still time to work. We have one and a half years to do that,” Souza de Brito said. “Enough time, if we’re supported by the clubs and the schools, then we can do it.”
