Bagunas, Espejo lead 14-man Alas side in FIVB World Championship

September 11 ------ BRYAN Bagunas and Marck Espejo will headline the first-ever Philippine team to compete in the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship. The FIVB released the final 14-man rosters of all 32 teams set to descend in Manila for the biggest edition of the global conclave in its 76-year history.

The Nationals will take on world No. 43 Tunisia in their World Championship debut on Friday, 7 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena. They will have a four-day break before returning to action against perennial African champion Egypt on Sep. 16 and Asian giant Iran to close out Pool A hostilities on Sep. 18.

National team veterans Owa Retamar, Kim Malabunga and Jack Kalingking, all part of the silver-winning squad in the 2019 SEA Games, have earned the right to represent the country again in its biggest international stint yet. Also making the final cut are key players from National University’s multi-titled core in Leo Ordiales, Buds Buddin, Peng Taguibolos and Jade Disquitado. Former UAAP MVP Josh Ybañez and former NCAA MVP Louie Ramirez will both be taking flight in the world stage, as well. Completing the 14-strong roster are Lloyd Josafat, Vince Lorenzo and Eco Adajar.

Back in August, Frigoni submitted a provisional 21-player shortlist that had a mix of obscure names and familliar mainstays. Among the most notable cuts were UAAP Season 87 MVP Kennedy Batas and Fil-American winger Steven Rotter who is a former SEA V.League best opposite hitter and the reigning Spikers' Turf (ST) Finals MVP.

Veteran middle blocker and Cignal captain JP Bugaoan didn't make the final 14, as well as fellow ST ace in Savouge's John Michael Paglaon and Visayan under-21 standout Ike Andrew Barilea. Fil-foreign duo in middle blocker Luca Mamone from Italy and setter Elijah Tae-Yin Kim also didn't make the final lineup.

Here are the 14 members of the Philippines' World Championship-bound team:

OUTSIDE HITTERS

Bryan Bagunas (captain)

Marck Espejo

Buds Buddin

Jade Disquitado

Vince Lorenzo

MIDDLE BLOCKERS

Kim Malabunga

Peng Taguibolos

Lloyd Josafat

OPPOSITE HITTERS

Leo Ordiales

Louie Ramirez

SETTERS

Owa Retamar

Eco Adajar

LIBEROS

Josh Ybañez

Jack Kalingking

Source: spin.ph