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Manila Bulletin devider Opinion devider Alas proves doubters wrong in world championship

Alas proves doubters wrong in world championship

Published Sep 19, 2025 12:05 am  |  Updated Sep 18, 2025 06:42 pm
EDITORS DESK

For a handful of Filipinos, believing only comes when you start winning.

Alas Pilipinas, lacking the height, the experience, and the caliber that most presumed to be an unassailable badge at the peak of the world volleyball championship Manila is hosting this month, was at the wrong end of the people's wrath after a dismal opener last Sept. 12, against Tunisia.

It didn't help that the venue, the Mall of Asia Arena, was half empty. President Marcos and the First Lady were with the 9,000-plus in attendance who witnessed first-hand how the Philippine team struggled heavily against the African giants, against the backdrop of vacant seats largely blamed on exorbitant ticket prices that were unreachable for ordinary fans.

Yet, despite the online lambasting that bordered on phrases of insults to organizers and harsh attacks to the national team, the players soldiered on and showed great mental fortitude for a bounce back victory against powerhouse Egypt last Tuesday, Sept. 16. It was a triumph that triggered ripples in social media and loud noises that reverberated from the lively Pasay coliseum and beyond.

It sent a message to doubters: Alas, the men's squad ranked 88th in the world, is never backing down. They needed to brush off the jitters, they begged for patience and for an ounce of belief that these gentlemen wanted no piece of mockery in front of their fellow Filipinos.

“This team was with me for 15 to 16 months and I saw how they improved. I was waiting for one win, to show to everybody how much we improved in these 16 months. And I’m happy they did it today,” said Alas head coach Angiolino Frigoni, who was stumbling and jumping in celebration after they stunned the Egyptians who are the reigning African champions.

The world championship, held every four years, gathered 32 of the best nations, with the host, now the Philippines, awarded one spot.

While it was pure bliss to see the team show its true potential, it was a shame for these skeptics who turned a blind eye on our humble spikers right from the beginning.

The criticisms, some of which these keyboard warriors saw as objective, could be validated from a standpoint of being well informed or just being a meaningless troll.

Regardless, commenting against the efforts of these Filipino players and targeting their mere presence on the world stage is nothing less of a case of treason.

Staying composed after getting ridiculed, Alas showed up, in a better stance, with renewed confidence against Egypt, and soared to perfection in a game that was more than a victory in itself: vindication in the face of scrutiny.

Alas is battling Iran Thursday night for a spot in the knockout rounds. Whatever the result would be, something bright is supposed to happen in the future.

For now they proved that winning is possible.

(Ramon Rafael Bonilla is the Sports editor of Manila Bulletin)

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