By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Games Thursday
(MOA Arena)
10 a.m. – Brazil vs Serbia
1:30 p.m. – Egypt vs Tunisia
5:30 p.m. – Philippines vs Iran
9 p.m. – Czechia vs China
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
10:30 a.m. – Finland vs Korea
2 p.m. – Belgium vs Algeria
6 p.m. – France vs Argentina
9:30 p.m. – Italy vs Ukraine
Alas Pilipinas may have accomplished a historic feat, but its mission is far from over as it guns for a spot in the Round of 16 at the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship at the Mall of Asia Arena on Thursday, Sept. 18.
After successfully scaling a perilous mountain, the Nationals are in for another hard climb as they collide with Asian heavyweight Iran at 5:30 p.m., with the winner advancing to the knockout stage that already has world No. 1 Poland, Netherlands, United States, Bulgaria, Belgium, Turkey and Canada as of press time.
Riding the crest of a morale-boosting 29-27, 23-25, 25-21, 25-21 upset win over Egypt the other day — the country’s first-ever victory in the world stage, expect the Filipino spikers to go all out once again to keep their ambitious campaign alive.
Team captain Bryan Bagunas said the key is to take it one point at a time — no matter how long it takes.
“Dahan-dahan lang. Sabi nga ng mga coaches sa amin, every point is a victory. Kaya kung ano yung pinakita namin (against Egypt), itutuloy lang namin,” said the hard-hitting outside spiker, who exploded for 25 points the last time.
Alas Pilipinas’ Italian champion coach Angiolino Frigoni is also optimistic, cherishing their feat by lying on the floor in jubilation after clinching that last point for the match win against Egypt.
But like his saying, “The last (victory) is always the best,” he knows his stalwarts still have a lot to offer.
“I am 71. I went to many world championships. Every team has a story… This team was with me for 15 or 16 months and I saw how they improved,” said Frigoni.
Apart from Bagunas, expected to supply additional firepower are fellow hard-hitter Marck Espejo and vastly improved Leo Ordiales.
Owa Retamar and Josh Ybañez? As usual, they will provide creativity, speed and hustle.
But like the PH crew, Iran is also expected to carry the momentum of an impressivbe 23-25, 25-20, 25-23, 25-16 victory over Tunisia to make it to the next round.
Out to lead the 2023 Asian Championship silver medalists are Poriya Hossein, Morteza Sharifi, Ali Hajipour and Mohammad Valizadeh, who scored in double figures against Tunisia.
