Alas Pilipinas hopeful for the future after FIVB Worlds stint

September 20 ------ Their journey in the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship may have come to an end, but members of the Alas Pilipinas hope their efforts would spark more growth for the men’s sport in the country. “I think eto na yung simula na magtuluy-tuloy ang men’s volleyball sa Pilipinas,” said team captain Bryan Bagunas. “Naipakita naman namin kung ano yung men’s volleyball ng bansa natin. Sana magtuloy-tuloy pa yung suporta para lalo pa naming maipakita sa buong mundo na meron tayong potential,” he added.

Entering the tournament as hosts and the lowest-ranked team at No. 82, the Nationals defied expectations and came agonizingly close to a Round of 16 berth before falling to four-time Asian champion Iran in a heartbreaking 21-25, 25-21, 17-25, 25-23, 22-20 defeat on Thursday night, Sept. 18. For a brief moment, the Nationals believed they had clinched the match after Kim Malabunga's block on Ali Haghparast appeared to seal a 20-18 fifth-set win. But Iran challenged the play for a net touch -- a call that was upheld -- tying the score at 19-all that shifted the momentum.

The reversal rattled the Filipino squad, and Iran quickly capitalized, with Haghparast delivering a powerful kill, followed by a decisive block from Yousef Kazemi that sealed the victory for the world No. 13 Iranians. Alas Pilipinas wrapped up its historic run with a 1-2 record in Pool A, its other loss coming against 43rd-ranked Tunisia in straight sets. They made heads turn a few days back with a breakthrough win against nine-time African champion Egypt, 29-27, 23-25, 25-21, 25-21.

Marck Espejo, who tallied 21 points against Iran, said there was nothing to be ashamed of in their debut campaign on the world stage. “Sayang at hanggang dito lang kami, pero hindi naman dito natatapos yung journey namin,” the hard-hitting opposite spiker said. “Nakaka-proud pa rin kasi ginawa namin yung best namin sa once-in-a-lifetime opportunity na binigay samin. Mabigat sa amin yung pagkatalo, pero nothing to be ashamed of kasi hindi rin naman namin in-expect na aabot kami sa ganitong kalayo,” 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.

Source: mb.com.ph