THE MAIN EVENT began as reigning champions Italy and crowd-favorite Japan finally touched down in the Philippines on Thursday evening, just in time for the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship.
World No. 2 Italy, spearheaded by team captain Simone Giannelli, is on a mission to defend their title after clinching the 2022 championship, where they overcame former champions Poland in four hard-fought sets.
On the other hand, fifth-ranked Japan—powered by superstars Yuki Ishikawa, Ran Takahashi, and Yuji Nishida—aims to strike gold as well, hoping to draw energy from their strong Filipino fanbase throughout the tournament.
Complete Pool Draw
Still, both squads will need to battle their way through the group stage before possibly meeting. Italy has been placed in Pool F with Ukraine, Belgium, and Algeria, while Japan leads Pool G against Canada, Turkey, and Libya.
In Pool A, the host team Alas Pilipinas will compete with Iran, Egypt, and Tunisia. World No. 1 Poland headlines Pool B, having arrived on Sunday, and joins The Netherlands, Qatar, and Romania.
Pool C includes France, Argentina, Finland, and Korea. Pool D is led by sixth-ranked USA, along with Cuba, Portugal, and Colombia. Over in Pool E, Slovenia, Germany, Bulgaria, and Chile will clash; and Pool H features Brazil, Serbia, Czech Republic, and China.
The FIVB Worlds will take place from September 12 to 28 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay and the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. Expect traffic to build up as passionate volleyball fans flock to both venues.
Laban, Alas!
Alas Pilipinas, who recently unveiled their final lineup for this landmark appearance at the FIVB Worlds, will be represented by some of the country’s most promising young players as they prepare for elite-level competition.
With the Philippine men’s volleyball scene rising rapidly, head coach Angiolino Frigoni believes the team has everything to gain—and nothing to lose—as they make their long-awaited debut on the global stage.
“We will see there in the MOA Arena, first time in the World Championship. Filipinos have never been in the World Championship in their volleyball life. There will be emotion, I don’t know. I hope that we will react good anyways,” Frigoni said.
“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,” he went on to say.
Alas Pilipinas will begin their bid to introduce themselves this evening against Tunisia at 7:00 p.m., before facing Egypt and Iran on the 16th and 18th. All these games will be held in the same Pasay venue.
