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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Volleyball devider Alas Pilipinas hopeful for the future after FIVB Worlds stint

Alas Pilipinas hopeful for the future after FIVB Worlds stint

Published Sep 19, 2025 12:12 am  |  Updated Sep 19, 2025 04:19 pm

At A Glance

  • Alas Pilipinas' journey in the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship may have come to an end, but its resilience against some of the world's top teams signals a promising future for a squad long underestimated.
Alas Pilipinas defies expectations in its stint at the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship. (https://www.philippineswch2025.com/)
Alas Pilipinas defies expectations in its stint at the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship. (https://www.philippineswch2025.com/)
Alas Pilipinas’ journey in the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship may have come to an end, but its resilience against some of the world’s top teams signals a promising future for a squad long underestimated.
The Nationals defied expectations and came agonizingly close to securing a spot in the Round of 16. But what could have been a historic win against four-time Asian champion Iran slipped away after a pivotal video challenge in the extended fifth set shifted the momentum and dashed the Filipinos’ hopes.
In the end, the Nationals yielded to the Asian heavyweights, 21-25, 25-21, 17-25, 25-23, 22-20, wrapping up their campaign with a 1-2 win-loss record in Pool A.
They lost the opening match to Tunisia, 25-13, 25-17, 25-23, but made heads turn with a breakthrough first win in the world stage at the expense of Egypt, 29-27, 23-25, 25-21, 25-21.
Team captain Bryan Bagunas hopes their efforts would give them more opportunity to showcase what they are capable of in future high-ranked tournaments.
“I think eto na yung simula na magtuloy-tuloy ang men’s volleyball sa Pilipinas,” said Bagunas, who anchored the squad with 22 points.
“Naipakita naman namin kung ano yung men’s volleyball ng bansa natin. Sana magtuluy-tuloy yung suporta para lalo pa naming maipakita sa buong mundo na meron tayong potential,” he added.
Marck Espejo shared the same sentiment, adding that they were grateful for the opportunity to play against the world’s best.
As hosts, the Nationals were given an automatic spot in the tournament composed of the world’s best. They entered the tournament as the lowest-ranked team at No. 82.
“Nakaka-proud kasi naging part kami ng world championship. Once in a lifetime moment sa amin to kaya ginawa talaga namin ang best namin kasi hindi din naman namin alam kung kailan pa ulit kami makaka-experience nito,” said Espejo.
“Masaya pa rin kasi naging part kami ng world championship. Sayang at hanggang dito lang kami, pero hindi naman dito natatapos yung journey namin,” he added.
Alas Pilipinas coach Angiolino Frigoni also lauded the efforts of his stalwarts, who gave everything they could to show the world that they can belong in this grand stage.
“I am picky in a way that we lost, because we were in a dream, and I woke up just one point before the dream was finished, but that’s life of the sport,” he admitted.
“But we played with skills, power, heart, mind… and I am happy about it. I am very proud because we showed that we can play good volleyball. We never, never gave up,” he added.
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