Fil-Am trio set to join Alas Pilipinas for upcoming VTV Cup

Filipino-American standouts Brooke Van Sickle, MJ Phillips, and Tia Andaya are gearing up for their potential national team debut in the upcoming VTV Cup in Vietnam.

This year marks the third consecutive appearance of a Philippine team in the VTV Cup.

Alas Women head coach Jorge Souza de Brito expressed that the trio were not able to suit up for the AVC Women’s Volleyball Nations Cup due to pending eligibility requirements under the Philippine Federation.

Fortunately, their documentation is reportedly nearing its completion.

De Brito also confirmed last week that Van Sickle had already joined the national team’s training alongside Phillips, Andaya, Maddie Madayag, and Alleiah Malaluan. 

“It's good to have Brooke as a new player [in the national team]. She has a lot of talent and we've been watching her play, enjoying her playing on Petro Gazz for two years already,” he told One Sports.

"I think it’s the right time for her to join. It’s a pleasure—not just because she plays well, but also because she truly wants to represent the national team."

During the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum on June 17, Tuesday, De Brito also emphasized that they need to strengthen the team’s defensive system—especially with the possibility of facing powerhouse Vietnam in the upcoming tournament.

"I need to strengthen the defense system, that means the connection with blocking defense, and also starting from the serve,” he said. “Because we know our character, we are not a tall team. We are short, but we are also really good at trying to make our team taller. We need to serve better... we need to be aggressive with the serve."

The addition of Van Sickle, Philips, and Andaya, each having versatile and international experience, marks a significant upgrade for Alas Pilipinas as the team set their sights on higher-level competitions.

Their anticipated participation in the VTV Cup will not only serve as a crucial stepping stone, but it will also present a valuable opportunity that will allow coaching staff to assess player chemistry, experiment with combinations, and lay the groundwork for stronger showings ahead of major AVC and FIVB tournaments.