These 14 volleyball stars are out to make history for Alas Pilipinas.
The waiting game is finally over.
With two days left before their FIVB Men’s World Championship opener against Tunisia, Alas Pilipinas have finally unveiled their 14-man roster, composed of both veterans and young guns who will banner the country’s historic debut in the global tilt.
Head coach Angiolino Frigoni has stuck to his usual guns for the Final 14, with each member having played in at least one international tourney amid his ongoing tenure for the Philippines.
Gold standard
As expected, leading Alas’ World Championship charge is the tandem of Marck Espejo and Bryan Bagunas, who are teaming up to fight for the flag after two years. While their form after injury remains to be seen, their experience and presence alone remain invaluable for the Nationals.
Behind Espejo and Bagunas are young but dependable outside hitters in Michaelo Buddin and Jade Disquitado, two key cogs in National University’s five-peat core that have shone in international play.
Buddin has shown tremendous poise as a go-to option for the Nationals, while Disquitado is a sparkplug that can provide instant offense when called upon. In fact, both hitters were at the forefront of Alas’ offense in a 2025 SEA V.League campaign amid Bagunas and Espejo’s recovery periods.
Six-foot-two Leo Ordiales brings his height and athleticism to lead a lean but mean opposite spiker pool with former NCAA Most Valuable Player Louie Ramirez. Another part of NU’s title-winning core, Ordiales has steadily improved under Frigoni’s tutelage and won Best Opposite Spiker during Leg 1 of the SEA V.League in Candon City.
Ramirez, while listed as an opposite, has spent most of his career as an outside hitter, making him a highly versatile option for the Nationals.
Alas’ frontline will once again be led by Kim Malabunga, who is one of five remnants from the country’s silver medal-winning squad at the 2019 Southeast Asian Games. Accompanying Malabunga’s veteran wisdom and experience will be Cignal’s Lloyd Josafat and a fast-rising youngster in NU’s Peng Taguibolos.
Six years after his debut, Owa Retamar will now be orchestrating Alas’ offense on the biggest stage of his volleyball career. Behind him is a capable backup in Eco Adajar, who has shown impressive poise and chemistry with Alas’ spikers despite being new to the program.
Reigning SEA V.League Best Libero Josh Ybañez will once again split floor defense duties with veterans Jack Kalingking and Vince Lorenzo, who have been familiar faces on the international stage.
A total of seven prospects were cut from Frigoni’s player pool, likely due to an overflow of talent in their position or a lack of enough time to train with the team. Here they are:
- Kennedy Batas (OH)
- Ike Andrew Barilea (OPP)
- Steven Rotter (OPP)
- JP Bugaoan (MB)
- Lucca Mamone (MB)
- Elijah Tae-yin Kim (S)
- John Michael Pagalon (S)
One set at a time
Following their opener against Tunisia this Friday, Alas Men will head into a four-day break before facing world no. 23 Egypt on September 16. Two days later, they will cap off pool play as they lock horns with Iran, the second-best Asian team behind Japan in the World Championships.
While Alas Men will be defending home court, head coach Angiolino Frigoni previously stressed that facing these world-class opponents is already a win for the Nationals.
“We don’t have anything to lose to be in this experience. The teams that have something to lose are our opponents. They must be very relaxed to play and be confident,” Frigoni said during the Philippine Experience media day held last September 8.
Team captain Marck Espejo is also tempering his expectations ahead of the World Championships.
“Gagawin po namin ‘yung best namin para hopefully manalo ng isang set and hopefully makapanalo ng games.”
Banner images from the Asian Volleyball Confederation.