By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Games Tuesday
(MOA Arena)
10 a.m. – Brazil vs Czechia
1:30 p.m. – Iran vs Tunisia
5:30 p.m. – Philippines vs Egypt
9 p.m. – Serbia vs China
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
10:30 a.m. – Argentina vs Korea
2 p.m. – Ukraine vs Algeria
6 p.m. – France vs Finland
9:30 p.m. – Italy vs Belgium
After dropping its opening match, Alas Pilipinas needs to produce an extraordinary game if it is to keep its ambitious campaign in the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship alive on Tuesday, Sept. 16, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Against the taller and heftier Egyptians, the Nationals will have to go through the proverbial eye of the needle to emerge victorious in their 5:30 p.m. showdown in a game the Egyptians also need to win to book their place to the next round.
Yes, even against a huge Filipino crowd who are expected to avail of the big cut in the prices of tickets.
For one, Egypt’s confidence has been boosted by its stunning 25-17, 16-25, 25-23, 25-20 victory over higher-ranked Egypt on Sunday, Sept. 14.
Though still nursing a 25-13, 25-17, 25-23 beating from Tunisia in the opening last Friday, Sept. 12, the Filipino spikers are expected to use the lessons learned from that game in their crucial match against the Egyptians.
One key lesson was the need to shake off the nerves early — something they managed in the third set against Tunisia, but a bit too late to turn the match around.
Still, Alas Pilipinas’ Italian champion coach Angiolino Frigoni remained optimistic after seeing the potential of his stalwarts in their maiden appearance on the sport’s grandest stage.
“Slowly but surely, we started to play our volleyball,” he said.
“Our quick attacks in the last set were what I would like from this team. They fight for every point… Sometimes we win, sometimes we lose, but at least that’s what I want from the team,” Frigoni added.
Frigoni is banking on Bryan Bagunas to anchor the crew anew after pumping in 23 points against Tunisia, while support is expected to come from Marck Espejo, Peng Taguibolos, Joshua Retamar and Kim Malabunga.
On paper, conquering Egypt would be an uphill battle. After all, the Egyptians boast of having won the 2023 African title and have improved their rankings from No. 23 to 21 as of Monday, Sept. 15, following their victory over Iran compared to the Filipinos, who slipped to No. 85.
The Egyptians, however, are not taking the Filipino spikers lightly, admitting that they had the glimpse of their brand of volleyball late in the game against Tunisia.
“I’m sure that the level of the Philippine team is what they showed us in the third set (against Tunisia) so it will be a very tough match,” said Egypt’s head coach Marco Bonitta.
Egypt also has a lethal offensive trio in Ahmed Shafik Said, Abdelrahman Elhossiny and Seif Abed, who scored in double figures and combined for 47 points the last time.
After Egypt, the Nationals wrap up their pool campaign on Thursday, Sept. 18, against Iran.
Only the top 2 teams in each four-nation pool will advance to the Final 16.
