Alas Pilipinas’ run in the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship was nothing short of memorable.
Heading into the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship, it was only a matter of keeping the sets close for Alas Pilipinas. As the host nation, all they wanted to do was give their best in front of the fans, and put up a decent fight against the world’s elite men’s volleyball programs.
But when the World Championship did tip off, Alas Men did so much more than just putting up a decent fight. After a jittery opener against Tunisia, the Nationals went on to claim their first-ever set win against the Pharaohs of Egypt, which grew into their first victory at the World Championship.
A game later, Alas would push Asian powerhouse Iran to their limits, and it was only Team Melli’s desperate challenge against Kim Malabunga’s supposed game-winning that denied the Philippines an entry into the Round of 16.
Heartbreaking as their exit was, captain Bryan Bagunas knows that the Nationals sent a statement through their World Championship debut, having proven that they can keep up with the Goliaths of men’s volleyball.
“Masakit po sa amin, kasi nandoon na kami. Pero masaya pa din po ako kasi napakita ng team namin na kaya namin,” Bagunas said after Alas Men’s 25-21, 21-25, 25-17, 22-25, 20-22 loss against Team Melli on Thursday, September 18.
“For me, sa start ng tournament, hindi naman namin ineexpect na aabot kami sa ganitong pagkakataon. Ayun na nga, syempre, naging masaya kami na umabot kami sa ganitong klaseng sitwasyon na pwede kaming makapasok sa Round of 16. Di namin ineexpect, pero nabigyan kami ng chance and ginrab naman namin. Pero ayun nga, hindi kami pinalad.”
Like his co-star, Marck Espejo knows that Alas Men defied expectations throughout the World Championship, especially with how they were able to assert themselves against Egypt, and even Iran before breaks of the game favored Team Melli. There was also that Set 3 against Tunisia on opening day, where Alas Men came so close to stealing a set against the Eagles of Carthage.
“Sayang lang po talaga [against Iran], pero proud po ako sa team na ito at saan kami umabot, kasi wala naman nag-eexpect na aabot tayo sa ganito kalayo. Maka-isang set nga lang, history na sa team,” Espejo, who held back tears, said.
“Pero nanalo pa ng isang game, tapos lumaban pa sa Iran na top team at na-force pa ng five sets. Kaya ang sakit kasi samin na dapat ito, pero hindi lang siguro namin time ngayon,” he continued.
“Sinabi ko sa team na nothing to be ashamed of talaga, kasi ginawa namin ‘yung best namin at happy ako at proud sa team na ito.”
Chin up, Alas
Team Melli may have escaped by the skin of their teeth, but it is also true that Alas Pilipinas still emerged with a win in their World Championship debut. After all, even if they only entered as the host nation, Alas Men proved that they were deserving to be part of an elite playing field.
Through their brave fight, the Nationals could have also found the much-needed follow up to their historic silver medal finish at the 2019 Southeast Asian Games that was also held on home soil.
“Samin po, pinaghirapan din talaga kasi namin ito, na nagprepare kami ng super hirap para hindi lang matambakan o matalo sa World Championship. Sabi nga ni Coach [Angiolino Frigoni], nothing to lose kami, but so much more to gain,” Espejo said.
“Siguro ito din po talaga ‘yung bunga ng pinaghirapan namin noong offseason before World Championship; marami kaming pinagdaanan, pero nag-pay off din. Di pa naman dito natatapos ‘yung journey ng team.”
Bagunas also believes that Alas can only get better from this experience, as they have now experienced playing against world-class opponents.
“Pinaguusapan nga namin na nandito na tayo. Wala naman tayo ibang gagawin kundi mag-enjoy na lang sa loob ng court. Pakita na lang natin na nandito na tayo, kayang-kaya natin makipag-compete sa ganitong klase na high competition,” Bagunas said.
“Lalong lalo na Top 32 lang ‘yung nandito. Kami, rank 88 pa nga, pero nakita ko na sobrang laking improvement sa men’s volleyball,” added Bagunas, with Alas currently sitting at 77th in the world rankings.
It may not have been the ending that they wanted, but without a doubt, the World Championship is only the start of something greater for Alas Pilipinas.
Banner images courtesy of Volleyball World.