ALAS PILIPINAS’ historic and emotional debut in the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship officially came to a heartbreaking close at the hands of World No. 16 Iran on Thursday evening.
What once appeared to be a golden opportunity to break through to the Round of 16 was crushed, as the Philippines endured a painful and exhausting five-set defeat that brought their inspiring run to a sudden end.
In front of a roaring crowd at SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, the visitors escaped the home side, 21-25, 25-21, 17-25, 25-23, 22-20. Still, Alas Pilipinas showed they earned their place among the world’s best.
Missed Chance
Alas Pilipinas believed they had secured the win with a kill block late in Set 5 at 19-18, but a challenge from Iran overturned the call due to a net violation by Kim Malabunga, erasing the potential match point and tying the game at 19-all.
When play resumed, Kazemi Poshtpari Yousef immediately pushed Iran ahead at 20-19, though team captain Bryan Bagunas quickly answered back with a crucial spike to level the score at 20 apiece.
But in the end, Ali Haghparast and Yousef dashed the hopes of the 14,240 fans in attendance, scoring the final blows that sealed Iran’s Pool A campaign and earned them a ticket to the next round.
Despite the loss, Leo Ordiales led the team with 21 points on 19 attacks, one block, and an ace. Marck Espejo chipped in 15 points from 12 attacks and three blocks, while Malabunga added 10 to complete the trio of double-digit scorers.
Valuable Takeaway
While the loss stung, Alas Pilipinas’ Italian mentor Angiolino Frigoni expressed only pride in his team’s growth and praised them for proving to the world the fighting spirit of the Filipino.
“I am very proud. We improved a lot; we showed that we can play good volleyball. Thank you to all the fans who came here because they supported us very much,” Frigoni said.
“I’m pity in a way because we lost while we were in a dream. And then they woke up just one point before the dream was finished. But that’s life; that’s the life of the sport.”
“Still, I believe that we played with skills, with power, with heart, with the mind at every point — but not with how they finished. I would have preferred losing this match 15-10 or 15-8. But to lose this way… it’s very, very painful. I’m still very proud of them,” he added.
Even so, the men’s national volleyball team holds their heads high after shocking Egypt just two nights earlier and taking Iran — now the last Asian team standing — to the brink.
