By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Alas Pilipinas put up a gallant stand until the pivotal moments before succumbing to four-time Asian champion Iran with a stinging 21-25, 25-21, 17-25, 25-23, 22-20 defeat to end its campaign in the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship at the Mall of Asia Arena on Thursday, Sept. 18.
Going into the match with a morale-boosting breakthrough victory against Egypt a few days back, the Filipinos mustered every strength and firepower they could to outplay their more experienced, multi-titled rivals, only to yield their chance of advancing to the Round of 16 in a heartbreaking manner.
For a moment, the Nationals were awarded the match victory after Kim Malabunga’s block on Ali Haghparasat gave them the 20-18 fifth-set triumph. But Iran requested a net touch challenge that proved to be successful, keeping the match alive at 19-all.
The decision somehow rattled the Filipino spikers, who were already celebrating, while fueling the Iranians as they assaulted the hosts with another kill from Haghparast and a block from Yousef that gave them the victory.
Iran’s victory gave them the second seeding in Pool A, advancing to the knockout stage with top seed Tunisia, which earlier swept Egypt, 25-19, 25-18, 25-22.
The Filipinos, meanwhile, finished their campaign with a 1-2 win-loss record. Their other defeat came at the expense of Tunisia in straight sets.
The loss was a hard pill to swallow for the Nationals, who defied expectations after coming into the tournament ranked No. 82 in the world.
“Sobrang sakit para samin kasi andun na kami,” said a teary-eyed team captain Bryan Bagunas, who erupted for 22 points on 18 kills, three blocks and one ace.
“Mabigat sakin,” added Marck Espejo in a shaky voice. “Pero sabi ko sa huddle, nothing to be ashamed of kasi hindi rin naman namin in-expect na aabot kami nang ganitong kalayo.”
“Parang isang set nga lang ang maipanalo namin, masaya na kami. Pero nanalo kami ng isang game, tapos nakasabay kami sa malalakas na team gaya ng Iran, kaya nakaka-proud pa rin,” he added.
Alas Pilipinas’ Italian coach Angiolino Frigoni felt the same way, but lauded the never-say-die attitude of his stalwarts.
“I think we played with skills, power, heart, mind, and I am happy about it. It’s just that… I would prefer to finish this match losing 15-10 or 15-8 or 15-7, but this way is very, very painful,” Frigoni said.
“But I am very, very proud of them. We never gave up, even during the tiebreak. We showed that we can play good volleyball,” he added.
Leo Ordiales showed heart and soul for the Nationals by pouring 21 points on 19 kills, while Espejo exploded for 12 attacks for 15 points.
Poriya Hossein and Ali Hajipour spearheaded Iran with 22 points apiece including a combined 38 kills.
