By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
All the sacrifices and hard work paid for Alas Pilipinas after the Nationals secured an impressive 19th-place finish in the ongoing 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship, marking a significant milestone for the national team on the grand international stage.
The development came after the end of the group stage elims, where the Nationals tallied a 1-2 win-loss record for four points on five sets won against seven sets lost in Pool A.
That enabled the Filipino spikers to emerge as the second-best Asian team in the 32-nation tournament next to Iran.
Iran is the only Asian squad to reach the knockout Round of 16.
Surprisingly, the Nationals were ahead of powerhouse Japan, which settled for 23rd with a 1-2 mark for three points on three sets won against six sets lost.
Three-time world champion Brazil finished at 17th place followed by 2024 Paris Olympics gold medalist France at 18th. Cuba finished at 20th, followed by Germany (21st), Qatar (22nd), Ukraine (24th), Egypt (25th), Colombia (26th), South Korea (27th), Libya (28th), Romania (29th), China (30th), Chile (31st) and Algeria (32nd).
The feat propelled the Philippines to No. 77 in the live FIVB World Rankings. They entered the tournament at No. 82.
That also earned them kudos from sports officials with Philippine National Volleyball Federation chief Ramon Suzara, saying it was historic.
“Our national team has shattered every expectation, finishing higher than more established volleyball countries in this FIVB WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP. Indeed, we have broken barriers on the world stage. The future is here for Philippine volleyball,” said Philippine Sports Commission chairman Patrick Gregorio.
