Alas Men make history after taking first FIVB Worlds win vs Egypt

September 17 ------ IT was a night Philippine volleyball will never forget. Alas Pilipinas took down reigning African champion and world No. 23 Egypt, 29-27, 23-25, 25-21, 25-21 for a historic first win on home soil at the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship.

Prior to this unprecedented triumph, no other Philippine national team in the federation’s 64-year history has ever seen action at the grandest stage of world volleyball. On a magical Tuesday night, the Philippines not only took a first set win, but an entire win altogether in a match that will have the 82nd-ranked Nationals etched into the annals of the country’s rich local sporting lore.

More importantly, the Philippines kept itself in the race for an even bigger breakthrough as all Pool A teams now share 1-1 (win-loss) records ahead of the group stage finale on Thursday. It effectively becomes a win-or-go in scenario for Alas against Iran, the highest-ranked Asian team left in the competition at No. 14. "I am very happy. Not because we won but we showed that we [can play] good volleyball," Alas Men coach Angiolino Frigoni said. "We never played in a world championship [before] and now we [won] in a match against Egypt. They gave us an opportunity to [win] the match and we took it."

Captain Bryan Bagunas top scored for the Nationals with 25 points built on 23 attacks and two blocks. Leo Ordiales, who landed the set-clinching ace in the first frame, bounced back from his two-point debut with 21 points on 19 attacks and two aces. "Super happy that we got the win, I'm really happy that we played well," Ordiales said. "After the loss against Tunisia, we talked about our errors, we practiced and we executed well." he added.

But the man who signed off on the biggest win Philippine volleyball has ever seen in Marck Espejo scored 13 points on nine attacks, one ace and the game-winning block out of three he made. Should it beat Iran on Thursday to end pool play, the Philippines will advance to the Round of 16 to extend an unlikely dream run in Manila. All coach Frigoni will be asking for is one small window of opportunity for his boys. "If they give us a chance to get it, we will get it," he said.

Source: spin.ph