The Alas Pilipinas men’s national team is ready to prove its worth when it meets tough opponents in the country's hosting of the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship.

Italian coach Angiolino Frigoni knew how hard the assignments are against the best of the best in next year's tournament.

“You know what I can say, that for us, all teams are pretty difficult. But those teams, those two, are not as difficult as Italy, as Poland,” said Frigoni, who didn’t mention the two teams he was pertaining to after the world championship draw at Solaire Grand Ballroom in Paranaque City Saturday evening, Sept. 14.

“And by the way, I have only two words to say today. Big responsibility that we have in this championship and a big challenge for us,” he added.

Indeed, the world No. 64 Nationals should move heaven and earth to surprise everyone after they were drawn in Pool A with the African Championship conquerors Tunisia (24) and Egypt (20), which have 11 and 9 regional titles, respectively.

Aside from it, the Egyptians were also fresh from the 2024 Paris Olympics where they gave a scare to high-ranking teams. Another formidable opponent is Iran, which currently holds the highest ranking in the group at 15th place.

If the Philippines advances to the next round, grueling challenges still await as the 32-nation tourney also include reigning champion Italy, which is in Group F, back-to-back Olympic gold winner France in Group C and last edition’s runner-up Poland in Group B.

The 70-year-old tactician debuted for the men’s squad last month in SEA V.League where they bagged a bronze medal. 
Weeks after, the Filipinos strutted their wares against Yuji Nishida and the Osaka Bluteon of Japan V.League in a two-day exhibition match.

According to Frigoni, Alas will have a training session for a couple of weeks in Italy to further polish and strengthen the squad before it plunges into action versus high-caliber teams.

Frigoni, who guided the Italy’s and the Netherlands’ women’s squads in the Olympics, stressed that the tournament next year will not define Alas but will serve as a gauge for improvement 

“I always said to answer this question, but the world championship is not the end of volleyball, it's just the start,” he continued. “And to build a team, to build a good level team, you need years, not months.”

“My expectation is to do our best, to compete against everybody and to fight against everybody and don't give up against anybody.”

The Men's World Championship unfolds in September next year and all games will be played at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City and at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.