THE Alas Pilipinas’s breakthrough bronze medal-clinching performance in the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Challenge Cup for Women that ended Sunday was the first stop of the rejuvenated women’s volleyball program’s mid- and long-term goals.

“The intention is to keep this team intact with additional athletes from the college ranks,” said Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) president Ramon “Tats” Suzara on Thursday, the morning after Alas Pilipinas repeated over a taller Australian side, 25-23, 25-15, 25-7, to secure a historic podium finish fashioned out before another wildly-cheering jampacked crowd at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

“It’s a breakthrough, it’s historic, and the obvious next step is to keep this team intact and make it stronger and much more competitive,” Suzara said. “And next year, in the SEA Games, I believe we’ll have a very strong fighting chance.”

The 33rd SEA Games will be in Thailand in late 2025.

Suzara also reiterated that the federation wanted Jorge Edson Souza de Brito to remain as head coach of the women’s program—the Brazilian is due to end his tour of duty in the country next month and has been assigned to Chinese Taipei under the FIVB empowerment program.

De Brito is serving out the last of his three-year FIVB contract and saved his best for last—the Alas Pilipinas were put together barely two weeks before the AVC Challenge Cup for Women but immediately created an impact with their chemistry and teamwork.

Staying put in the national team are Jia Morado-de Guzman, Cherry Nunag, Dell Palomata, Dawn Macandili-Catindig, Eya Laure, Faith Nisperos, Fifi Sharma, Jennifer Nierva, Sisi Rondina and Vanessa Gandler who all play in the Premiere Volleyball League.

From the collegiate ranks are De La Salle’s Angel Canino, Julia Coronel and Thea Gagate and joining them are National University’s Aly Solomon and Bella Belen and University of the East’s Casiey Dongallo.

“It’s a potent mix,” said Suzara of the Alas Pilipinas’s combination of veterans and youngsters who will guarantee succession in the organization.

Before Sunday night, the Philippines never finished better than fourth place in an Asian level competition but had its hey days in the SEA Games as gold medalist from 1977, 1979, 1981, 1985, 1987 and the last in 1993.