THE Philippines reached the final of the 2025 Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Women’s Volleyball Nations Cup in Hanoi following a hard-earned five-setter over Chinese-Taipei—a victory that kept the country’s trajectory in the world rankings of the FIVB upward.
From No. 56 before the Nations Cup, the Philippines climbed 10 rungs up to No. 46 in the FIVB rankings after that spine-tingling 25-17, 25-21, 18-25, 15-25, 15-12 escape over the Taiwanese at the Dong Anh Arena.
The rise of Alas Pilipinas was also bolstered by its wins over Mongolia, New Zealand and Kazakhstan in the tournament where the Filipinas will face the defending champions and hosts Vietnamese in the gold medal play at 9 p.m. (Manila time) on Saturday.
“The program is working,” said Ramon “Tats” Suzara, president of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) who also heads the AVC and an executive vice president of the FIVB. “The past three years was all upward for our national program in all disciplines—volleyball and beach—thanks to the support of our stakeholders.”
When Suzara and the PNVF took over in 2021, the national women’s team was No. 156 in the 222-nation FIVB, but made a meteoric accent 90 rungs up in 2023 at No. 66 and last year, which was marked by a bronze medal finish in the same Nations Cup at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum, the country jumped to No. 58.
The country’s ranking could even go higher if Alas Pilipinas hurdles Vietnam in the final and Bella Belen—who led the team against the Taiwanese with a triple-double 14 points, 19 receptions and 16 digs—knows how tough the hosts will be as the Philippines tries to end a 64-year gold medal in a continental level tournament.
“I’m really happy because we were able to win this game, not just for us but for the Philippines,” Belen said. “No words can explain how much we wanted this game and we’re going to prepare hard for us because it’s in Vietnam.”
Brazilian head coach Jorge Souza De Brito, who’s been on top of the women’s program the past three years, said beating the Taiwanese was a gem of a win.
“We knew that semifinals are always hard and they [Taiwanese] gave us a hard night,” he said. “But we also knew that we just have once chance to get to the final so I’m proud and very thankful for the girls.”
Jia de Guzman, named best setter in last year’s tournament, said Chinese-Taipei tested the team’s character.
“We’re very grateful that we surpassed that test of character,” she said. “Being up two sets, losing two sets, then coming back in the fifth set, that’s really hard to do against a team like Chinese Taipei.”
“You also have to give credit to them for adjusting so well and giving us a good fight,” said De Guzman as she acknowledged the resiliency of the Taiwanese.
Against Vietnam?
“Last year, our best brought us to the bronze, and this time, it’s going to bring us to higher heights,” she said. “So we’re just going to bring our best again—and no matter what, this is for the country.”