Members of the Alas Pilipinas males’s volleyball crew together with coach Angiolino Frigoni throughout the FIVB Males’s Volleyball World Championship draw. –PNVF PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — A tricky 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 mechanically seeded in Pool A because the host nation, Iran, Egypt, and Tunisia have been grouped to play with Alas Pilipinas throughout the draw Saturday night at Solaire Grand Ballroom.
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Sensible Araneta Coliseum and Mall of Asia Area will host the world championships from September 12-28 subsequent yr.
READ: Followers give Philippines its largest 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.
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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 may 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 all the pieces. And by the way in which, I’ve solely two phrases to say as we speak: Huge accountability that we’ve got on this championship, and massive problem for us,” mentioned Frigoni.
The Alas gamers, led by Buds Buddin and Kim Malabunga, have 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 recreation 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 crew.”
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.
Group 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 shall 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 shall be staged in Pasay Metropolis.
“It’s a really robust group additionally. Iran can be an Asian champion, they’re world-class. You even have Tunisia. I feel we simply have to work laborious. Tunisia can be a great African crew like Egypt. Egypt, our head coach Frigoni, used to teach Egypt. I feel 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 feel the primary factor about this World Championship is to enhance our world rating. After all, we’ll be within the High 32 already on the planet however I feel it’s what the Philippines may give and the expertise that we are going to 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 shall be held within the Philippines. They’re the primary in Southeast Asia and for the primary time ever, we may have the 32 greatest international locations in your individual soil,” FIVB basic director Fabio Azevedo mentioned. “Collectively, we are going to all have the very best 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 laborious to make this an excellent success and provides all of the followers within the globe the enjoyment of our sport.”
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OPM legend Gary “Mr. Pure Power” 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 ladies’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 along with his gamers.
