Unafraid of critics

National women’s volleyball coach Jorge Edson Souza de Brito has named the 17-strong pool to train for the SEA Games in Cambodia on May 5 to 17 and curiously, none of his players on the Akari squad is in the mix. De Brito’s handpicked players are Creamline’s Alyssa Valdez, Jia de Guzman, Tots Carlos, Jema Galanza, Ced Domingo and Kyla Atienza; Choco Mucho’s Cherry Nunag and Kat Tolentino; Chery Tiggo’s Mylene Paat; Cignal’s Angel Cayuna; PLDT’s Mike Reyes, Kath Arado, Del Palomata and Jules Samonte; Petro Gazz’ MJ Philips; and UE collegiate stars Lea Pelega and Risa Nogales.

There were 14 other players invited by De Brito to join the pool but they begged off. Included in the list of those who declined to hook up were Cignal’s Ces Molina, Chery Tiggo’s EJ Laure, F2’s Ivy Lacsina, NU’s Bella Belen, Lams Lamina, Alyssa Solomon and Jen Nerva, Ateneo’s Vanie Gandler and AC Miner, UST’s Eya Laure and Dette Pepito. Adamson’s Lorene Toring and La Salle’s Alleiah Malaluan.

Akari’s roster lists standouts like Jo and Janel Maraguinot, Dindin Santiago-Manabat and Bang Pineda. De Brito, however, said the door isn’t closed to any player who impresses in the ongoing PVL All-Filipino conference, hinting that he’s working on a moving pool. It’s a challenge for the Akari players to step up and prove they deserve to be in the pool, said De Brito. “I’m not afraid to be contested,” noted the Brazilian, referring to his choices for the pool. “It doesn’t mean we won’t try to get more players in. I want to bring the best. I could put more players in the lineup.”

De Brito, 56, was recommended by the international federation to PVL president Tats Suzara and started with the national team in July 2021. He was on the Brazilian squad that won the men’s volleyball gold at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and worked as a remote assistant coach with the women’s team that topped the 2008 Beijing Olympics. De Brito said while both feats were special, there’s nothing like playing on the court. “It’s exciting when you’re a player,” he said. “As a coach, you don’t spike, you don’t block. If you’re inside the court, you can make more of a difference.”

De Brito said coaching the Philippine team is both an honor and pleasure. He previously coached in Brazil, Turkey, Japan and Korea. “Every country has its own culture, how players think working in a different environment,” he said. “In Turkey, they play at a high level. The Philippines is on the way, it’s growing up, it’s a process. All countries had to stop training for 1 1/2 to two years because of the pandemic. I think the players will only get better and we’re doing great.”