De Brito exits Alas Pilipinas with well wishes, no hard feelings

Alas Pilipinas coach Jorge Souza De Brito during a SEA Games 2025 women’s volleyball match in Thailand. –SAVA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines —As he parts ways with Alas Pilipinas after four years,  coach Jorge Souza De Brito has nothing but well wishes for the women’s national volleyball team program.

De Brito couldn’t end his stint with a podium finish as Alas Pilipinas lost to Indonesia in the bronze match in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games women’s volleyball tournament, but he remained proud of the team that he is going to leave behind.

“We have to be really proud of the results we got —no excuses. I’m the last person to give excuses because we gave everything. All the players were committed,” De Brito told the Inquirer in a phone interview. “Not only those who played in Thailand but also those in the pool, and even players helping us train. Those guys helped us, and we cannot forget that. They love volleyball and supported us.”

A day after their tough loss, new Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Tonyboy Liao bared that Tai Bundit is being eyed as the new head coach when De Brito’s contract expires at the end of the year.

Departure already set

Alas Pilipinas women during their game against Vietnam in the SEA Games 2025 volleyball tournament in Thailand. –POC MEDIA POOL

De Brito clarified that the announcement of his replacement was not about Alas Pilipinas’ failed podium bid in the SEA Games. He said he already received a letter from the PNVF last October 15–even before the federation’s elections— stating that his live contract will be terminated “instead of the previously contemplated date of July 2026.”

While his departure from the program was already set and the players informed before the Games began, the Brazilian coach remained focused on the goal of ending the Philippines’ medal drought.

READ: As Alas falls short anew, Jia De Guzman urges long-term preparation

“I’ve always been under the federation, working for a program. So for me, it’s quite easy to understand the decision, even if it’s hard because it’s in the middle of everything. The results are there, and these are the kind of decisions that have to be made by the people who decide. At that moment, they made what they thought was best for them. But about the national team — the structure has to be done and get better for the results to come,” De Brito said.

“Quite easy to understand because I had a plan to follow. All my coaches had the same. I needed to keep going because the players and the country deserve it. It was just a technical decision. But regardless, we fought until the last minute to do what’s best for the country. No hard feelings,” he added.

De Brito said his players knew about the news of his impending departure immediately after he was informed by the PNVF.

READ: Jorge De Brito to step down as PH women’s volleyball coach

“They already knew. We were in the same boat with the same feelings since October 16 when I told them. But after that, we were all there and we gave our best. It was super hard. Even when we tried to bring home the bronze medal or any medal for the country, it was very difficult. We were there together. We talked. We cried. We hugged each other. But we did our best at that moment,” he said.

Under De Brito, the team had started competing together since last year in the AVC Nations Cup and SEA V.League and made a rare appearance in the VTV Cup in Vietnam last June.

But ahead of the SEA Games, the team faced major preparation issues, which many felt was one of the reasons for Alas Pilipinas’ medal-less stint in Thailand.

“With the support you had at that moment… To be honest, all the other teams had full preparation. Indonesia was young, but they had 40 days together, training twice a day. Thailand, Vietnam and also Indonesia— their leagues start in January, so they were fully available. That shows the difference between us and them,” he said.

‘Future will be brighter’

As he moves on, the former Olympic medalist hopes the Alas Pilipinas women’s volleyball gets the program it deserves, especially since the foundation is set and a plethora of talent is available.

“One thing to understand: I’m really patriotic. I cannot be a coach of any national team if I don’t put that country’s flag first. What I want for them is to be given the structure and they got a really good coach to help them develop because the Filipino fans deserve it. The volleyball environment deserves it,” De Brito said.

“I’m not a Filipino. I love the Philippines, I love the people here. But my players will be Filipino forever. They have no choice. They have to fight for the country. They have to be heard. They have a lot to say, and if people listen to them, the future will be brighter than now.”

De Brito, though, lauded the improvements in the program that happened under his watch, which included a silver medal finish in the Nations Cup this year and four bronze medals in the SEA V.League.

“I had to fight a lot to get not only results but a structure to bring the players I wanted. For years, I tried to bring young guys, mature guys, and combine them into one team,” said De Brito, who relied on different national pool players in his first two years.

“I was happy with the results we got. But honestly, we wasted time in the first two years trying to combine players when we never got the chance. They would bring entire teams, and we also brought entire universities to represent the country instead of bringing the best players. If you want to develop, you have to mix them.”

“The national team is supposed to stand higher than any other institution. It has to be treated like that — God first, then the country. If someone thinks otherwise, we probably disagree on many things in life. My point of view.”

With his national team stint over, De Brito is now focusing on his other task in the Philippines–continuing Capital1’s rise after a breakthrough year in 2026.

“I’m full of energy to start the program again with our players. We’re committed to extracting the best from them and making Capital1 shine again, putting them in the high place they deserve. I’m really happy and focused on making my best again with them. I’m super happy and excited to start,” De Brito said.