Members of the Alas Pilipinas males’s volleyball workforce together with coach Angiolino Frigoni in the course of the FIVB Males’s Volleyball World Championship draw. –PNVF PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — A troublesome first spherical awaits Alas Pilipinas because the host takes on Iran, Egypt, and Tunisia within the FIVB Males’s Volleyball World Championship 2025 set for subsequent yr.
With the Philippines robotically seeded in Pool A because the host nation, Iran, Egypt, and Tunisia had been grouped to play with Alas Pilipinas in the course of the draw Saturday night at Solaire Grand Ballroom.
Article continues after this commercial
Good Araneta Coliseum and Mall of Asia Area will host the world championships from September 12-28 subsequent yr.
READ: Followers give Philippines its greatest edge in FIVB males’s worlds internet hosting
Alas, which is now underneath Italian coach Angiolino Frigoni, will face world No.15 and Asian championship runner-up Iran.
Article continues after this commercial
That completes Alas Pilipinas group with Iran, Egypt, and Tunisia. #MWCH2025 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/rCrjyTtwXN
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) September 14, 2024
The Ranked No.64 Filipinos can even tackle World No.20 and African champion Egypt and 11-time African titlist Tunisia, which is World No. 24.
“I can say that for us, all groups are fairly troublesome, however these two, they aren’t troublesome [Egypit and Tunisia] as Italy, as Poland, and the whole lot. And by the best way, I’ve solely two phrases to say right now: Large duty that we’ve on this championship, and massive problem for us,” mentioned Frigoni.
The Alas gamers, led by Buds Buddin and Kim Malabunga, had been current within the draw, which was ran by ambassadors former Thailand girls’s volleyball setter Nootsara Tomkom, Dutch star Nimid Abdel-Aziz, and Tine Urnaut of Slovenia.
“Sobrang nakakaexcite yung magiging sport kasi anglalakas nung mga kasama namin sa pool namin. Galingan namin sa parating na video games subsequent yr, paghahandaan namin,” mentioned Malabunga. “Laking bagay yun para sa males’s volleyball sa Pinas kasi makikita ng mga susunod na gamers sa amin para pagsikapan nila na sumunod maging nationwide workforce.”
READ: Alas Pilipinas males ‘nonetheless very far’ from excessive degree, admits new coach
In the meantime, the seven top-ranked groups are scattered among the many final seven teams with World No.1 Poland bannering Pool B with the Netherlands, Qatar, and Romania.
Olympic champion France headlines Pool C with Argentina, Finland, and South Korea.
Staff USA faces Cuba, Portugal, and Colombia with Group D.
Slovenia is slated in Pool E with Germany, Bulgaria, and Chile, as defending world champion Italy opens its title bid in Pool F with Ukraine, Belgium, and Algeria.
Fan favourite Japan is in Pool G with Canada, Turkiye, and Libya, whereas Brazil performs Serbia, Czechia, and China in Pool H.
High two from every pool will advance to the knockout stage of the competitors.
The Alas video games will probably be held at MOA Area together with the opening day, because the BIg Dome would be the different venue within the pool stage. The knockout video games till the championship will probably be staged in Pasay Metropolis.
“It’s a really powerful group additionally. Iran can also be an Asian champion, they’re world-class. You even have Tunisia. I believe we simply must work onerous. Tunisia can also be a great African workforce like Egypt. Egypt, our head coach Frigoni, used to teach Egypt. I believe siguro alam mo na siguro laro ng Egypt, kung paano talunin ang Egypt, so baka puwede gawin ng Pilipino yun,” mentioned PNVF president Tats Suzara. “However I believe the primary factor about this World Championship is to enhance our world rating. In fact, we’ll be within the High 32 already on this planet however I believe it’s what the Philippines can provide and the expertise that we’ll get on this World Championship is historic.”
Additionally highlighting the occasion was the official turnover of the FIVB trophy to the Philippine Native Organizing Committee led by Co-Chairperson William Vincent Araneta Marcos and Senator Alan Peter Cayetano.
“For the primary time ever, the World Championships will probably be held within the Philippines. They’re the primary in Southeast Asia and for the primary time ever, we can have the 32 greatest international locations in your personal soil,” FIVB common director Fabio Azevedo mentioned. “Collectively, we are going to all have the most effective volleyball expertise right here—the fervour and braveness of all groups. We’re completely completely satisfied and grateful. I can guarantee you’ll all work onerous to make this an important success and provides all of the followers within the globe the enjoyment of our sport.”
Your subscription couldn’t be saved. Please strive once more.
Your subscription has been profitable.
OPM legend Gary “Mr. Pure Vitality” Valenciano capped the present with an electrifying sing and dance efficiency a lot to the cheers of the gang made up of native and overseas officers, coaches and gamers led by the Alas Pilipinas males’s and girls’s groups.
Alas girls coach Jorge de Brito, gold medalist as a participant for Brazil within the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, additionally graced the historic occasion together with his gamers.
