Top teams trickling in for the FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship

Korea arrving in the country

With the competition just days away from the start on Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena, the teams participating in the FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship has made their way to the Philippines.

The latest nation to arrive is South Korea, as the 25th-ranked team in the world has checked in on Saturday, a day after upcoming Alas Pilipinas opponents Iran and Tunisia.

Sunday will see noted fan favorites Slovenia, Poland, Germany arrive, as well as Algeria, while Canada and Turkiye are expected to come in Monday.

Defending champions Italy will be here on Tuesday, alongside Egypt, Qatar, and Ukraine, with Wednesday being the big day, featuring the bulk of the field: Japan, the United States, Netherlands, Czechia, Colombia, Chile, Bulgaria, Libya, Serbia, and Finland.

On the eve of the start of the tournament, Belgium, Brazil, China, Cuba, and France are scheduled to arrive.

Action commences with the opener featuring hosts the Philippines against Tunisia at 430pm, which will then be followed by a lavish opening ceremony featuring Korean group BOYNEXTDOOR.

Alas Pilipinas will then resume Pool A action against Egypt on September 16 and Iran a couple of days later.

In Pool B, top-ranked Poland will face Romania on September 13. The VNL champions are also bracketed with the Netherlands and Qatar, with their matches taking place at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.

On the same day and venue, Pool G action takes centerstage with Japan facing Turkiye, preceded by Canada against Libya.

Meanwhile, Slovenia tangles with Chile at the MOA Arena, preceded by Germany against Bulgaria. Opening up action on that day are the Americans against Colombia, followed by Cuba against Portugal in Pool C.

European powerhouse Italy, led by VNL Best Setter Simone Gianelli and Best Outside Hitter Alessandro Michieletto open their campaign on September 14 at the Big Dome against Algeria. Joining both countries are Ukraine and Belgium.

Olympic Champions France kick off their tournament against Korea on the same day at the same venue, with Argentina and Finland comprising Pool C.

The MOA Arena on the other hand, will have Pool H on their plate, as Maique's Brazil faces China, with the other pool match featuring Serbia against Czechia.

Fans can still get tickets for the games through https://www.philippineswch2025.com.

The 2025 edition of the FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship is organized by Ramon "Tats" Suzara, who is both the president of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) and the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC). It is supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, PAGCOR, Office of the President, and Philippine Olympic Committee and backed by Rebisco, SM, PLDT, SMART, Metro Pacific Investment, Honda Philippines, Meralco, Sony, Lenovo, LRT Line 2, officially sanctioned by the FIVB, partnered with Volleyball World, Mikasa, the official ball, Mizuno, Gerflor and Senoh Corporation.

Asian Volleyball headquarters opened in Bangkok

AVC and PNVF president Ramon “Tats” Suzara (center) and PSC chairman Patrick “Patò” Gregorio (second from left) lead the toast with (from left) Thailand Volleyball Association president Somporn Chaibangyang and National Olympic Committee of Thailand secretary-general Thana Chaiprasit and FIVB president Fabio Azevedo. Photo shared from the PNVF.

With the eyes of the world of volleyball gazed towards Southeast Asia, the Asian Volleyball Confederation inaugurated its new headquarters in Bangkok on Friday.

In presenting its new home, called the Asian Volleyball (AVC) House, AVC president Ramon Suzara says, "This is the home of Asia volleyball now and it easy for us to work around here with the success of volleyball in Southeast Asia."

He adds, "All volleyball stakeholders are welcome especially in Asia, volleyball fans ,too, universities and club teams, and of course we are open to many sports stakeholders."

The facility is a two-storey mansion within a 2,800-square meter lot in the Khet Saphan Sung district of the Thai capital. 

With the FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship entering its final couple of days, many of the who's who in the sport were present for the special occasion, led by the last two presidents of the FIVB, incumbent Fabio Azevedo, and predecessor Ary Graça. Suzara's predecessor at the AVC, Rita Subowo, was also there. Joining them in leading the toast are top Thai officials in Thailand Volleyball Association president Somporn Chaibangyang, as well as Thailand NOC secretary-general Thana Chaiprasit.

Azevedo shares, "I’m extremely happy and proud of our volleyball leadership in Asia led by president Ramon Suzara, the volleyball Asia house is magnificent and amazing... What a great place to be the hub of volleyball in Asia and we are moving ‘together as one’ as what’ president Suzara said."

Aside from Suzara, leading the Filipino delegation at the event are PNVF secretary-general Donaldo Caringal, with Candon City mayor Eric Singson and Philippine Sports Commission chairman Patrick Gregorio gracing the proceedings also. The Ilocos Sur city has launched a bid for the AVC Women's Cup, which takes place next year.

The Women's Championship is already in their semifinal phase, with Turkiye, Italy, Japan, and Brazil tangling on Saturday afternoon, with the medal matches coming the next day.

As for the Men's Championship, it is set to commence next week, September 12, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, featuring hosts Philippines and Tunisia as the opening matchup. Tickets for the tournament are still available at https://www.philippineswch2025.com.

Ybanez ready to take on the rest of the world

Josh Ybañez

Fueled by his love for the game and a relentless drive to improve, Josh Ybañez sets aside the pressure as he pursues the golden opportunity to represent the Philippines in Alas Pilipinas’ historic campaign at the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship.

As a 5-foot-7 outside hitter at the collegiate level, pressure has always followed Ybañez like a shadow every time he steps on the court.

“Pressure is constant,” said the two-time UAAP MVP from University of Santo Tomas, who has been embracing a defensive role under Italian coach Angiolino Frigoni.

“It’s always there, even if it’s not the World Championship. There’s always pressure. So I just embrace it and focus on loving what I do.”

But for the SEA V.League Best Libero, the chance to represent the Philippines — on one of volleyball’s grandest stages and before a roaring home crowd — is too exhilarating to be weighed down by it.

Returning to his natural role as a libero, the 22-year-old pride of General Santos embraces every moment with focus and determination, letting his passion for the sport guide him through every challenge as Alas Pilipinas prepares for the world meet.

“It’s an honor for us to represent the Philippines for the first time at the World Championship, and as they say, this is history. I’m happy, and for sure, I’m going to learn so much from our opponents and from the tournament itself,” said Ybañez.

Ybañez is among 21 players in the Alas Pilipinas pool, all competing for a spot in the Final 14 for the 32-nation World Championship set from September 12 to 28 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena and Araneta Coliseum.

The Philippines will kick off the tournament against Tunisia—match tine moved to 4:30 pm from the original 6pm—at the MOA Arena, following a festive opening ceremony headlined by K-pop group BOYNEXTDOOR and Cebuana singer-songwriter-actress Karencitta.

Fans can secure their seats for the historic event, which will see Alas Pilipinas face Egypt on September 16 and Iran on September 18, by purchasing tickets online at the official website: https://www.philippineswch2025.com.

For Ybañez, the World Championship is more than just a chance to play — it is an opportunity to test himself against the world’s best, learning from every experience to grow and sharpen his game.

“I will just focus on doing my best in every game and learning from each match. That’s the only way I can grow,” he said.

“I hope all Filipinos will support us, because of course, there are teams like the USA and others that are also favorites among Filipinos. So I hope they cheer for us too.”