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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Volleyball devider Alas Pilipinas yields to Asian powerhouse Iran, ends FIVB World campaign

Alas Pilipinas yields to Asian powerhouse Iran, ends FIVB World campaign

Published Sep 18, 2025 08:00 pm

At A Glance

  • Buoyed by a morale-boosting breakthrough win over Egypt just days earlier, the Filipinos brought every ounce of strength and firepower against their more seasoned and highly ranked opponents. But despite their relentless effort, they fell just short of advancing to the Round of 16.
Alas Pilipinas fought valiantly until the final moments before falling to four-time Asian champion Iran in a heartbreaking 21-25, 25-21, 17-25, 25-23, 22-20 defeat, ending its campaign in the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship on Thursday, Sept. 18, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Buoyed by a morale-boosting breakthrough win over Egypt just days earlier, the Filipinos brought every ounce of strength and firepower against their more seasoned and highly ranked opponents. But despite their relentless effort, they fell just short of advancing to the Round of 16.
For a brief moment, the Nationals believed they had clinched the match after Kim Malabunga's block on Ali Haghparast appeared to seal a 20-18 fifth-set win. The arena erupted in celebration—until Iran challenged the play for a net touch. The challenge was upheld, tying the score at 19-all and shifting the momentum.
The reversal rattled the Filipino squad, and Iran quickly capitalized, with Haghparast delivering a powerful kill, followed by a decisive block from Yousef Kazemi that sealed the victory for the Iranians.
With the win, Iran secured the second seed in Pool A and joined top-seeded Tunisia, who earlier swept Egypt, 25-19, 25-18, 25-22, in the knockout stage.
Alas Pilipinas wrapped up its historic run with a 1-2 record, its other loss coming against Tunisia in straight sets. Still, the team defied expectations, entering the tournament as the world’s No. 82-ranked squad.
“Sobrang sakit para sa amin kasi andun na kami,” said a tearful team captain Bryan Bagunas, who led the squad with 22 points built on 18 kills, three blocks, and an ace.
“Mabigat sa amin,” added Marck Espejo, visibly emotional. “Pero sabi ko sa huddle, nothing to be ashamed of. Hindi rin naman namin in-expect na aabot kami ng ganito kalayo.”
“Parang isang set nga lang ang maipanalo namin, masaya na kami. Pero nanalo kami ng isang buong game, tapos nakasabay pa kami sa malalakas na team gaya ng Iran. Kaya nakaka-proud pa rin,” he added.
Italian head coach Angiolino Frigoni shared the same sentiment, commending his players’ spirit and resilience.
“I think we played with skill, power, heart, and mind, and I am happy for it,” Frigoni said. “It’s just that… I would have preferred to lose 15-10, 15-8, or 15-7 in the fifth. But this way… it’s very, very painful.”
“But I’m very, very proud of them. We never gave up, even in the tiebreak. We showed we can play good volleyball,” he added.
Leo Ordiales showed promise once again and anchored the Nationals with 21 points, including 19 kills, while Espejo added 15 points off 12 attacks.
Meanwhile, Poriya Hossein and Ali Hajipour powered Iran with 22 points apiece, combining for 38 kills to anchor the team’s offense.
Though the journey ends here for Alas Pilipinas, their performance has rewritten expectations and inspired a new wave of hope for Philippine volleyball on the global stage.
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