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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Volleyball devider Flag-bearer gig for Bagunas proof of men's volleyball rise

Flag-bearer gig for Bagunas proof of men's volleyball rise

Published Dec 10, 2025 03:36 pm

At A Glance

  • BANGKOK — Bryan Bagunas might be the one holding the flag for Team Philippines during the 33rd Southeast Asian Games opening ceremony but the honor of bearing it is something he shares to the people also walking behind – his Alas Pilipinas teammates.
Bryan Bagunas (left) and Alex Eala during the parade of athletes. (POC Media Pool)
Bryan Bagunas (left) and Alex Eala during the parade of athletes. (POC Media Pool)
BANGKOK — Bryan Bagunas might be the one holding the flag for Team Philippines during the 33rd Southeast Asian Games opening ceremony but the honor of bearing it is something he shares to the people also walking behind – his Alas Pilipinas teammates.
The entire team was part of the delegation that paraded around the arena inside the massive Rajamangala Stadium on Tuesday, Dec. 9 just as the two-week hostilities formally open here.
For Bagunas, him sharing the spotlight with Filipinas Alex Eala was symbolic of how far the men’s volleyball have achieved this year.
“For me, siyempre sobrang excited and proud,” said Bagunas who was looking good on his stylish “Laro ng Lahi” barong tagalog made by renowned designer Avel Bacudio.
“Di ko naman ineexpect na isa ako sa mga magiging flag bearer isang karangalan para sa men’s volleyball,” he added.
Bagunas’ selection, of course, came following the Nationals strong showing in the Men’s FIVB World Volleyball Championships where Alas finished 19th out of the 32 best teams in the globe.
Alas could have also advanced to the knockout rounds of the competition if not for a costly net touch from Kim Malabunga in the crucial loss to Iran.
Still, the men’s volleyball team reached unprecedented heights and popularity enough for Bagunas to be selected as the face of Team Philippines in the opening ceremony.
“Sobrang masaya ako kasi nag start na ma-notice yung men’s volleyball sa Pilipinas so di ko naman ineexpect na ako ‘yung magiging flag bearer sobrang daming athletes sa Pilipinas na mas deserving,” said Bagunas.
“Kung hindi lang dahil sa mga sumusuporta sa amin lalong lalo na sa PNVF, di kami makikita,” he stressed.
Bagunas and the rest of Alas Men’s is hoping to ride on the support and momentum as they continue to prove their worth, this time, in the volleyball competitions in the Games which will begin on Saturday, Dec. 13.
Alas will open its gold medal bid against Myanmar before taking on Indonesia on the 16th and a sweep of both games would have the Nationals battling in the medal rounds.
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