“I don’t give a damn”: Jorge de Brito brushes off criticism after Alas Pilipinas’ SEA Games exit

For Alas Pilipinas, a familiar storyline unfolded once more on the region’s biggest stage — a hard-fought battle against Indonesia that ended just short of the long-awaited breakthrough.

In a bruising and emotionally charged bronze medal match at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games, the Philippines fell to Indonesia yet again, absorbing a narrow 26–28, 25–13, 28–30, 24–26 defeat at the Hua Mark Indoor Stadium in Bangkok. It marked the fourth consecutive SEA Games in which Alas Pilipinas lost to the same rival in a battle for bronze, extending the country’s volleyball medal drought to 20 years.

Alas Pilipinas’ continued absence from the SEA Games podium has sparked widespread criticism, particularly on social media, directed at both the players and team management. Head coach Jorge Souza de Brito was quick to dismiss the backlash, calling instead for respect toward the national team.

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“I’m not in the point that I can answer for the future of the national team. Not to talk about pointing fingers, but you need to treat with respect the national team. I don’t care about the social media. This is not important for me. I don’t give a damn,” De Brito said after the loss.

#WATCH: Alas Women head coach Jorge De Brito reflects on their #SEAGames2025 campaign 🏐🇵🇭#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/FhJzCXx3ba

📹 Joaqui Flores/Tiebreaker Times #Sambansa pic.twitter.com/80X3KDJu08

— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) December 15, 2025

“But the problem is, you have to, as part of the environment of volleyball, treat the national team much better,” he added.

Despite failing to end the two-decade medal drought, the Brazilian tactician said he was proud of his players for their fight and resilience throughout the match.

“Just like every Filipino, it’s different than the guys who cannot go in the court. You can feel super bad more than ever, but you know, it’s a game. For the country, it’s always that you want to do the best. You’re there inside in the court, it’s super hard and I felt bad, but the national team is much more than this,” De Brito continued.

“You don’t think too much in the last one, it’s only the next and the next. You may feel bad, but be comfortable to fight and keep on fighting. It’s super hard, but yeah,” he concluded.

While the SEA Games campaign in Bangkok fell short of expectations, 2025 has still been a breakthrough year for the Alas Pilipinas program. The national team closes the year with a historic silver medal at the Nations Cup and two bronze medals in the Southeast Asian Volleyball League, results that underscore the program’s growth and point toward a promising future for Philippine women’s volleyball.

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