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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Volleyball devider Alas Pilipinas yields to Tunisia at the start of FIVB Worlds

Alas Pilipinas yields to Tunisia at the start of FIVB Worlds

Published Sep 12, 2025 09:25 pm

At A Glance

  • Alas Pilipinas mustered all its might but just couldn't find the right antidote to turn back a more experienced Tunisia side as it succumbed 25-13, 25-17, 25-23, at the start of the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship at the Mall of Asia Arena on Friday night, Sept. 12.
Alas Pilipinas mustered all its might but just couldn’t find the right antidote to turn back a more experienced Tunisia side as it succumbed 25-13, 25-17, 25-23, at the start of the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship at the Mall of Asia Arena on Friday night, Sept. 12.
Despite the Nationals showing signs of life particularly in the third set, the world No. 42 Tunisians proved to be a tough nut to crack.
Leo Ordiales hammers it down against the Tunisian defense in the opening game of the FIVB Men's World Championship Friday night, Sept. 12. (Mark Balmores/MB)
Leo Ordiales hammers it down against the Tunisian defense in the opening game of the FIVB Men's World Championship Friday night, Sept. 12. (Mark Balmores/MB)
Oussama Ben Romdhane proved to be a thorn on the side for the Nationals as he led Tunisia with 17 points including 15 kills and two blocks, while Ahmed Kadhi, Elyes Karamosli and Ali Bongui chipped in nine points apiece.
Skipper Bryan Bagunas rediscovered his old form after being sidelined from tournaments for almost a year, sizzling with 23 points built on 20 attacks, two aces and one block.
But it was not enough to lift the Nationals to even a set win, despite his persistent attempts in the third frame.
Still, Bagunas took the positives in the match.
“Yung third set, nakita ko yung potential ng men’s volleyball. For sure, babawi kami,” said the 27-year-old outside spiker.
Alas Pilipinas’ Italian coach Angiolino Frigoni admitted jitters got in the way of their game in the first two sets.
“We played with too much emotions in the first set. But soon, we started playing good volleyball. The last set was what I would like to see in this team,” said Frigoni.
“I think we need to play very, very good to win one set against the best teams in the world,” he added.
Indeed, it was a lethargic opening frame with Tunisia cruising to a commanding 12-1 lead and never looked back.
The Nationals stumbled into a maze of errors in the second, committing seven against five in the first frame.
But the Filipinos rose to the occasion in the third, keeping the game close with the troika of Bagunas, Marck Espejo and Kim Malabunga challenging Tunisia’s rock-solid net defense.
The Nationals even led 14-13, and even knotted the count at 23-all after trailing 19-21.
But an off-the-block spike on Romdhane and an attack error on Team PH sealed the win for Tunisia.
Up next for the PH spikers were the world No. 23 and reigning African champion  Egypt on Tuesday, Sept. 16, before taking on world No. 13 Iran on Thursday, Sept. 18.
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