MANILA, Philippines — Following a fruitful SEA V-League stint, the Alas Pilipinas women rallied behind their men’s counterparts ahead of their historic participation and hosting of the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship from September 12 to 28 at Mall of Asia Arena and Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Alas coach Jorge Souza De Brito and his players Jia De Guzman, Dawn Macandili-Catindig, Vanie Gandler, and Alleiah Malaluan expressed their full support by gracing a promotional event for the country’s hosting of the 32-nation world championship.

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“We’re going to support our team. We’re going to receive for the first time in life 32 teams. It’s going to be an amazing chance that no one can miss to watch these games here. The best players in the world,” De Brito told reporters at the event, where the Brazilian mentor and his players rode the LRT Line 2 from Recto to Santolan.

“I think it’s the best time that you can look at all of them at the same time. I think it’s going to be amazing, all the games. I’m very excited to watch it.”

De Brito, a member of the Barcelona 1992 gold medal-winning Brazil team, has been calling the shots for Alas since 2021 and led the Filipino Spikers to their fourth consecutive bronze medal finish in the SEA V-League to add to their runner-up finish in the AVC Nations Cup last June.

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De Guzman, a two-time Nations Cup Best Setter and the Alas captain, relished the continuous rise of Philippine volleyball as she and her teammates had a chance to interact with commuters while promoting the men’s national volleyball team’s debut in the World Championship.

“We’re very happy that the men’s volleyball and Philippine volleyball in general are getting a lot of support because volleyball wouldn’t be as big as it is now if it weren’t for the fans. So, we’re glad that it’s reaching better heights, more people. Even through the LRT, it’s huge that they’re helping us promote this big event coming to the Philippines,” she said.

With a month to go, the Local Organizing Committee of the FIVB MWCH will hold the “Set Na ‘To! An Electrifying Launch” where official mascots Hataw, Kidlat, and Kulog and the world championship trophy will be presented to the public at SM MOA Music Hall on Wednesday.