Alas Pilipinas ready to make a mark in AVC Women's 16 tourney

c/o PNVF

Alas Pilipinas under16 girls’ team coach Edwin Leyva puts a premium on the importance of starting the national program young in the Asian Volleyball Confederation Asian Women’s U16 Volleyball Championship.

Alas U16 opens its campaign in Pool B with an acid test against defending champion Japan on All Saints’ Day at the Princess Sumayya Hall here.

The girls team is composed of talents from Manila, Leyte, Batangas, Talisay, Bukidnon, Nasipit, and Negros Occidental, seeking to prove their worth in the international stage.

“Our preparation went really well. I was honestly impressed with the performance of the kids, especially since they came from different parts of the Philippines — Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The team jelled quickly, and that was a great sign,” said Leyva.

“Right now, even with the short preparation time, our training has been really productive. The chemistry is there, and I believe we can compete strongly and hopefully win one or two matches in the elimination round.”

They may come from different provinces but volleyball language and their one goal to represent the country with pride made it easier for Leyva to unite his team.

'Since the players came from different provinces, one of the first challenges we faced was communication. Some of them weren’t very fluent in Tagalog, so we had to adjust. Sometimes we used English or just relied on “volleyball language” to connect with each other,” he said. “Eventually, they started to gel because they listened well and communicated through the game itself.”

Xyz Rayco from Saint Michael College of Caraga is the team captain, leading her fellow opposite spiker Merish Beltran from Gracel Christian College Foundation Taguig and outside hitters Kristel Mirasol from Rafael B. Lacson Memorial High School in Talisay, Nadeth Herbon from Leyte National High School, Princess Sajulga from Kibawe Bukidnon, and Kim Peralta of University of Santo Tomas.

The setters are Resty Jane Olaguir (GCCF) and Mischa Ysabel Ambrocio (UST). Frances Ramos also from SMCC Nasipit is the lone libero, while middle blockers Cristina Gale from Sagay, Negros Occidental, Jhenica Sadia (GCCF), and Megan Hernandez (Canossa Lipa) protect the frontline.

Team manager Karl Chan urges their players to make the most of this opportunity in facing the top Asian teams.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for these young players, so we want to instill patriotism in each of them. I believe they’ve all answered the call to play for the flag and the country,” Chan said. “We’re hoping that in this AVC U16 Women’s Championship, we’ll be able to showcase the skills of our local talents from different provinces. At the same time, we want to make the country proud and show that no matter where they come from, these players deserve the chance to represent the Philippines.”

The Philippines faces Iran on November 2, with the top two teams from four groups will advance to the quarterfinals.

PNVF picks twenty for Alas Women SEA Games pool

c/o PNVF

JIA MORADO-DE GUZMAN brings her veteran versatile act anew to a 20-strong Alas Pilipinas Women team which will target nothing less than the gold medal at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand in December.

“Nothing less than the gold medal,” declared Ramon “Tats” Suzara, president of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation, after the association board approved Brazilian head coach Jorge Edson Souza de Brito’s picks for the national team.

Suzara also said the team members are culled from the professional league Premier Volleyball League and the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.

Joining De Guzman (Creamline) at the setter position are Julia Coronel (Galeries Tower), Mars Alba (Akari), while the liberos are Dawn Macandili-Catindig (Cignal), Jen Nierva (Chery Tiggo) and Justine Jazareno (Akari).

Opposites are Alyssa Solomon (Osaka Marvelous), Kat Tolentino (Choco Mucho) and Leila Cruz (Capital1) and the outside hitters are Shaina Nitura (Adamson University), Eya Laure (Chery Tiggo), Vanessa Gandler (Cignal), Angel Canino (De La Salle), Bella Belen (Capital 1) and Alleiah Malaluan (PLDT).

Middle blockers are Dell Palomata (PLDT), Amie Provido (Fe La Salle), Maddie Madayag (Choco Mucho, Thea Gagate (Zus Coffee) and Fifi Sharma (Akari).

Suzara said the team will hold training camp from November 15 to 30 either in Japan of Taiwan.

The indoor volleyball competitions are set December 10 to 19 at the Huamark Indoor Stadium in Bangkok.

The Philippines has won the SEA Games women’s volleyball gold medal six times—the last in 1993 in Singapore—while Thailand is the region’s powerhouse with 16 golds.

Senate commends Alas Pilipinas for historic performance in FIVB Men's World Championship

c/o PNVF

THE Senate on Wednesday adopted a resolution filed by Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano commending the Philippine men’s national volleyball team, Alas Pilipinas, for its milestone 19th-place finish in the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship.

Cayetano, who sponsored Proposed Senate Resolution No. 143, said the team’s breakthrough run “brought immense pride and honor” to the country and proved that Filipino athletes can excel when given the right opportunities.

“Sports brings Filipinos together. This team not only made us proud during the SEA Games, but they also made sure they will pleasantly surprise us,” he said during his sponsorship speech.

The senator emphasized that sports is a “God-given activity” that promotes health and well-being, fosters unity even in the midst of political divides, and elevates the Philippines’ global image through international success.

The Senate resolution emphasized that the achievement was made even more significant by the Philippines’ role as the tournament’s sole host.

All 24 Senators supported and adopted the resolution with Majority Floor Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri and Senators Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, Joel Villanueva and Erwin Tulfo making their manifestations congratulating the national team.

Present at the Senate were Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Ramon “Tats” Suzara and secretary-general Donaldo Caringal and members of Alas Pilipinas led by head coach Angiolino Frigoni and deputy coach Ogie Mamon and team captain Bryan Bagunas.

The resolution also cited standouts led by captain Bryan Bagunas, who finished third among the tournament’s top scorers, and Marck Espejo, who ranked fourth among receivers, with Cayetano saying their feats prove the grit and talent of Filipino athletes on the world stage.

The senator likewise credited the coaching staff led by Angiolino Frigoni and the reforms implemented by the PNVF under Suzara, which opened doors to overseas tournaments and strengthened training programs for national players.

Cayetano, who also serves as Co-chair of the Local Organizing Committee and Chairman Emeritus of the PNVF, added that honoring Alas Pilipinas is not only about celebrating their success but also about sustaining momentum for long-term sports development.

“Honoring Filipino athletes serves a public purpose because their achievements inspire national pride, set standards for sports programs, and justify sustained investment in facilities, training, and athlete support nationwide,” he said.

This success, Cayetano said, set the stage for the Philippines to host the FIVB Women’s Volleyball Championship in 2029, with greater readiness and confidence.

“Because of their performance and because of the successful hosting, two years from now, iyon namang Women’s Volleyball Championship will be held in the Philippines and this time around we have much more time to prepare,” he said.

Alas Pilipinas ready to kickstart FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship

Bryan Bagunas and Alas Pilipinas are ready

ALL roads lead to Manila as the Philippines for the first time in history stages the prestigious FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship starting on Friday until Sept. 28 at two world-class venues here.

Thirty-two of the best teams on Earth made up of world, VNL and Olympic champions, dark horses and crowd darlings converge on the Philippine shores for the biggest and what’s shaping up to be the greatest edition of the world championship ever with an anticipated breakthrough attendance like never before, especially for the explosive opener at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Serving at the forefront is host and world No. 82 Alas Pilipinas, which has improved leaps and bounds in a full year of build-up under champion Italian mentor Angiolino Frigoni, against 11-time African champion and world No. 42 Tunisia in the lone opening match at 7 p.m.

World-renowned group BOYNEXTDOOR from South Korea, meanwhile, will kickstart the festivities in the grandiose opening ceremony, to be led by Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) president Ramon “Tats” Suzara and FIVB president Fabio Azevedo, at 4:30 p.m. that will also feature local acts.

“I’m telling to the Filipinos, please come. We need you. As supporters, we need you because we are going to fight together against Tunisia. Don’t let us fight alone,” declared coach Frigoni in a tall order against the Tunisians to open the Pool A action that also includes No. 13 Iran and No. 23 Egypt, the reigning African champion.

Frigoni’s charges roamed around the world, including a productive finale training camp in Europe, to brace for history. And now, it’s up for the taking.

Leading the march are seasoned spikers Bryan Bagunas and Marck Espejo along with other wingers Leo Ordiales, Michaelo Buddin, Jade Disquitado and Louie Ramirez, as per the final roster announced by the PNVF.

Manning the defense are middle blockers Kim Malabunga, Peng Taguibolos and Lloyd Josafat with coverage from liberos Josh Ybañez, Jack Kalingking and Vince Lorenzo. Ace playmakers Owa Retamar and Eco Adajar will quarterback Frigoni’s offense.

“We have a great balance of veterans who bring experience and leadership, and younger players who bring energy and fresh perspectives,” said Bagunas. “It’s an honor to be part of this historic event. We’re excited to play and show the level and brand of Philippine volleyball in the world stage,” added Espejo.

But as big as the fight of the Alas boys on the court, eyes are also on the entire Philippines as it serves as mecca of the sporting world once again after hosting the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup with the PNVF led by Suzara, also president of the Asian Volleyball Confederation and executive VP of the FIVB, at the centerstage this time around.

“I hope our Alas Pilipinas really play well in front of Filipino fans but most importantly, I hope we could have a good finale here like the women’s world championship in Thailand as we serve as host for the first time ever,” said Suzara, who also leads the world championship’s Local Organizing Committee co-chaired by Presidential son William Vincent “Vinny” Araneta Marcos, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano and Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco.

“Let’s make this happen and show the world that the Filipinos are one of the best fans in the world. Mabuhay ang Philippine volleyball.” 

Albeit without star spiker Wassim Ben Tara, Tunisia is expected to be a tough nut to crack for Alas with veteran aces Hamza Nagga and Elyes Karamosli standing on their way in front of more than 10,000 fans for the opener of the world spikefest 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.

The rest of the 32-team field,  led by the big guns in world No. 1 and VNL champion Poland, reigning world titlist Italy (No. 2) and Paris Olympics gold medalist France (No. 4), however, will officially start their campaign starting on Saturday with the 32 squads being split at the MOA Arena and the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

Four matches each at the two venues are slated until September 18 for the preliminary phase with the top two teams from the eight groups advancing in the final phase beginning with the Round of 16 at the MOA Arena until the championship.

Other big guns expected to amaze the sports-crazed Filipino crowd are world No. 3 Brazil, No. 5 Japan, No. 6 USA, No. 7 Slovenia, No. 8 Germany, No. 9 Argentina and No. 10 Cuba scattered in different groups.

Tickets for the event are available through the official website: https://www.philippineswch2025.com/

Alas Pilipinas ready for their World Championship moment

Alas Pilipinas

It’s all systems go for Alas Pilipinas in the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championships firing off on September 12 to 28 at the Mall of Asia Arena and Smart Araneta Coliseum. 

“We are ready to make history,” said Philippine National Volleyball Federation Ramon “Tats” Suzara during the team’s media day on at the National Museum of Natural History in Manila. 

Symbolic of the Alas’ quest for glory and history, the entire national team players and coaches looked back first to their roots for some sorts of motivation at the National Museum with four days to go before duking it out against the world volleyball titans in the country’s monumental hosting of the 32-team spectacle for the first time ever. 

What started it all for the Philippines’ rich culture and history through the eons are displayed at the National Museum of National History. Beginning on Friday against 11-time African champion, Alas will attempt for more glory with more than 10,000 fans expected to be witnesses. 

“We are days away from history. Let’s make this happen and show the world that the Filipinos are one of the best fans in the world,” added Suzara, who also served as president of the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) and executive vice president of the FIVB. 

Suzara also leads heads the world championship’s Local Organizing Committee co-chaired by Presidential son William Vincent “Vinny” Araneta Marcos, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano and Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco, explaining Alas’ first pre-event for the world stage was a visit at the National Museum. 

Alas, les by team captain Bryan Bagunas and veteran ace Marck Espejo, roamed around the museum for over an hour to take a trip down memory lane in 12 permanent galleries that exhibit the rich biological and geological diversity of the Philippines. 

And for the Filipino spikers to be mentored by Italian champion coach Angiolino Frigoni, it’s more than enough of a fuel to shoot for glory against all odds in Pool A versus No. 13 Iran, African champion and No. 23 Egypt as well as No. 42 Tunisia.

“It’s an honor to be part of this historic event. We’re excited to play and show the level and brand of Philippine volleyball in the world stage,” said Espejo, hoping to also have their European camp in months work wonders for a well campaign against tougher and higher-ranked opponents. 

“Sa matagal naming pagsasamq sa Europe, nakila po namin lalo ang isa’t isa. Ready na po kami maglaro para sa bayan. Pangakong gagawin po namin ‘yung best namin hindi lang basta makadikit o makakuha ng set pero para manalo ng games.”

Alas, which refined its bearings against Romania, Morroco and Portugal, takes on  Tunisia on Sept. 12 in the opening match of the 32-team tourney, the biggest edition in history with support from 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.

An explosive opening ceremony to be headlined by K-POP group BOYNEXTDOOR is also slated to spice up the world competition.

Alas Pilipinas Women chip in for FIVB Men's World Championship promotion

JIA MORADO-DE GUZMAN (right) makes the No. 1 sign on board a specially-wrapped LRT-2 train with (from left) Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) secretary-general Donaldo Caringal, Alleiah Malaluan, Vanie Gandler, Dawn Macandili-Catindig, PNVF president Ramon “Tats” Suzara and Alas Women head coach Jorge Edson Souza de Brito.

With the opening date for the 2025 edition of the FIVB Men's World Championship looming in the horizon, the Philippines continues to come up with activations to help spread the word about the competition.

On Tuesday, four members of the Alas Pilipinas Women rode a specially wrapped train at the LRT Line-2, from Recto Station, all the way to Santolan, led by its skipper, Jia Morado-de Guzman. It follows the lead of their male counterparts who took such ride when the wrap was launched a month earlier.

The setter shares, "This is a rare opportunity for the country, to host a very prestigious event, the world championship."

Joining her along for the ride are teammates Dawn Macandili-Catindig, Vanie Gandler, and Alleiah Malaluan, as well as head coach Jorge Edson Souza de Brito.

Members of the Local Organizing Committee, led by Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Ramon Suzara, and secretary-general Donaldo Caringal also partook of the experience.

Suzara says, "One more month and the Philippines will be on the world volleyball map." He also highlighted the special opening ceremony slated on September 12 at the Mall of Asia Arena that includes a performance from K-Pop group Boy Next Door.

Whilst as for the closing ceremony on September 28, Ben and Ben are set to take the stage, whilst Leila Barros, the iconic Brazilian star who has since entered politics to serve as a senator, is expected to be in attendance. 

Tickets for the two-week tournament are already available at https://www.philippineswch2025.com/.

More activations loom in the horizon, with the "Set Na 'To! An Electrifying Launch" at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall later today, August 13, which serves as the campaign kickoff for the Worlds.

Amongst the events being unveiled is the launch of the on-site volunteer program, as well as the official presentation of Hataw, Kidlat, and Kulog as the tournament mascots. Fans would be able to see the actual world championship trophy, while also partake of performances from 1st One and Karencitta, who will perform the official anthem of the competition, "Electrify."

Alas Pilipinas bets fall short in Asian Beach Qualifying

c/o AVC / PNVF

Hopes for an additional team into the main draw for the Philippines in the Asian Senior Beach Volleyball Championships went up in smoke on Tuesday, as both Alas Pilipinas duos were eliminated in qualifying action at the Nuvali Sand Courts in Santa Rosa.

Represented by Ronniel Rosales and Edwin Tolentino, they bowed out to their Iranian opposition in Salemiinjehboroun Bahman and Khakizadeh Abolhassan, 8-21 10-21.

On the women's side, Alexa Polidario and Jen Gaviola fell short against Kaize Josephine Selvina Anasthasya and Melinda Novita Sari Devi of Indonesia, 21-23 15-21.

Alas Pilipinas will have to make do with their respective pairs already seeded into the competition: Ran Abdilla and James Buytrago as well as Rancel Varga and Lerry John Francisco on the men's side, and Khylem Progella and Sofia Pagara, as well as Kly Orillaneda and Gen Eslapor.

Fifteen teams had to be whittled down to four teams to complete the men's draw, while it was a battle for seven teams to be reduced to also four in the distaff side. Both divisions will have 24 pairs split into six pools of four teams each.

Action is set to get underway at 8am.

FIVB world championship for Filipinos, Asia

c/o PNVF

ALAS Pilipinas got itself into a “pretty difficult” pool as the year-long countdown to the 2025 FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship Philippines got off to a rousing and scintillating start in a glitzy Drawing of Lots ceremony at the Solaire Resort Grand Ballroom in Paranaque.

“This is for the Philippines and Filipino fans,” Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Ramon “Tats” Suzara told a big audience of FIVB and Philippine sports officials, representatives from the embassies of the 32-nation world championships, stakeholders, athletes and coaches.

“This is for Asia,” added Suzara, who made special mention of the women's world championship that Thailand is set to host in August—ahead of the September 12 to 28 men’s worlds—, and the world beach championships in Australia all in 2025.

“It’s big year for Asia, and me as president of AVC,” said Suzara, who was elected president of the Asian Volleyball Confederation only two weeks ago in Bangkok. “We like to work hard on this, that Asia can do it for a world championship next year.” 

“Let’s work hard and I’m very proud for the Filipinos to host this first-ever world championship for the first time,” he added.

The hard work thus began, not only for the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) but especially for the national men’s team Alas Pilipinas.

“Pretty difficult,” said Angiolino Frigoni, the Italian head coach of Alas Pilipinas whose credentials include coaching Italy in the 1992 BArcelona and 200o Sydney Olympics. 

“It’s a big responsibility and a big challenge,” said Frigoni as he stressed the importance of the Philippines being the solo host and at the same time pressed to perform well in the championship.

The Philippines was grouped in Pool A with 11-time African champion Tunisia, current Africa titlist and Paris Olympians Egypt and 2024 Asian championship runner-up Iran during the ceremony graced by LOC co-chairs William Vincent Araneta Marcos and Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, who formally received the world championship Trophy from FIVB General Director Fabio Azevedo.

World No. 1 Poland was in Pool B with Romania, Qatar and The Netherlands, while Volleyball Nations League champion France was grouped in Pool C with Korea, Finland and Argentina; the the United States in Pool D with Colombia, Portugal and 2010 silver medalist Cuba; Slovenia in Pool E with Chile, Bulgaria and 2014 bronze medalist Germany; 2022 world champion Italy in Pool F with Algeria, Belgium and Ukraine; Libya, European league 2023 winner Turkiye and Canada in Pool G; and Brazil, 2024 Challenge Cup winner China, Czech Republic and Serbia in Pool H.

LOC members Senator Pia Cayetano, Philippine Olympic Committee president  Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino and Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richard Bachmann were also in attendance in the glamorous ceremony that Gary Valenciano capped with an energetic and awesome performance that mesmerized the audience, local and foreign.

Osaka Bluteon completes Alas Pilipinas sweep

Yuji Nishida

THE Alas Pilipinas Men held the upper hand several times but Osaka Bluteon asserted its superiority and scored a 25-17, 25-10, 25-21 victory in the Alas Pilipinas Invitationals on Sunday at the Philippine Arena in Pasig City.

Olympian and Filipino fan favorite Yuji Nishida again came up huge for the Japan V.League squad with 12 points, seven from attacks, four aces and a block as the visitors completed a sweep of the two exhibition matches against Alas Pilipinas.

Still, Alas Pilipinas team members were elated after the weekend volleyball spectacle, with team captain Kim Malabunga noting that the matches helped identify the areas they need to work on.

Although the Philippines seized the lead several times, Osaka Bluteon was always quick to recover.

“The speed in blocking, quickness in other areas. These are just a few of the things we need to focus on,” Malabunga said. “Individually and as a team, we have to improve in preparation for the world championships.”

The invitationals are part of the events for the one-year countdown to the FIVB Volleyball World Men’s Championship the Philippines is hosting from September 12 to 28, 2025.

“It’s a very good experience. It was very very difficult but for us, it was a very good experience,” Alas Pilipinas coach Angiolino Frigoni said.

Six-foot-2 Cuban Miguel Angel Lopez Castro scored 10, with nine from attacks plus an ace for the Japanese club, six-time champions in the Japanese top flight.

Buds Buddin and Jade Disquitado wowed the crowd as they got all their points from attacks, the former notching nine points and the latter six.

Alas Pilipinas drops opener to Osaka Bluteon

THE Alas Pilipinas Men battled hard in a nip and tuck contest before losing steam to bow to Osaka Bluteon, 27-29, 23-25, 12-25, Saturday in the Alas Pilipinas Invitationals at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

Japanese Olympian and Filipino fan favorite Yuji Nishida had a match-leading 15 points for Osaka, 14 from attacks including one that left the crowd stunned for a while as the fireball appeared to hit Alas Pilipinas hitter Jade Disquitado in the groin.

Disquitado shook it off and went on to score a team-high 11, while Buds Buddin came up with 10 points for Alas Pilipinas, which led 19-15 in the second set before fading.

The Japan V.League club also utilized both foreign reinforcements to pull off the big win over Alas Pilipinas.

Six-foot-6 American Thomas John Jaeschke scored 10 points, all from attacks, and 6-foot-2 Cuban Miguel Angel Lopez Castro delivered six points from three attacks and three aces, including back-to-back service winners that gave Osaka a commanding 18-8 lead in the third.

Alas Pilipinas coach Angiolino Frigoni rued the dip in performance in the endgame, but said he is quite pleased overall.

“I am pretty happy for what we did today. To play against this level, the level of attention must be always very high. And we are not able to stay long,” Frigoni said.

Nishida also lauded Alas Pilipinas for the fine play, although he noted they can be inconsistent.

“Sometimes they’re very good. I hope in the next match we’ll play a higher level match."

The two teams meet again on Sunday at 6 p.m.

Alas Pilipinas drops Invitational opener

THERE were no explosive hits or disorienting combination plays but Saga Hisamitsu Springs simply covered nearly all the gaps to foil the offense of the Philippine national women’s volleyball team en route to a 25-19, 25-16, 25-16 victory Saturday in the Alas Pilipinas Invitationals at the Philsports Arena.

The entry of Sisi Rondina, Thea Gagate and Cherry Nunag in the third after being held out in the earlier sets got the crowd going and provided Alas Pilipinas Women a quick boost.

Rondina managed to get through the Japanese defense with her crisp shots, while Gagate and Nunag covered the net well to gave Eya Laure several chances hitting from the back row on the way to a rare lead at 8-7.

But that inspiring run was short-lived as Saga Hisamitsu Springs figured things out quickly, shut down the formidable four and finished off the hosts in just over an hour.

Miyu Nakagawa showed the way for nine-time Japan V.League champions, scoring 15 points, while Megumi Fukazawa scored 14.

Alas Pilipinas women Dawn Macandili-Catindig admitted the team had quite a few lapses and needs to regroup quickly in the home-and-home set.

“Both ways, net and floor defense, we are a bit inconsistent so we need to do a better job,” said Macandili-Catindig.

Alyssa Solom and Vanie Gandler had five points each, while Laure added four for Alas Pilipinas.

“Now we have actually played them, we’ve learned quite a bit about them and we’re confident we can play better in the next match.”

Alas Pilipinas Women and Saga Hisamitsu Springs clash anew on Sunday at 3 p.m.

Coach Jorge Souza de Brito is also counting on a more solid performance in the rematch after a test run of sort.

“The plan today was to field all of them and maybe tomorrow we can give the visitors a tougher time,” De Brito said.

Alas Pilipinas friendlies kick off year-to-go countdown for FIVB Men's World Championships

With the field set, all eyes will be gazed towards the Philippines, as the countdown to the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championships is now down to one year.

“The ball is served!” said Ramon “Tats” Suzara, head of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation on Wednesday fresh from his election as president of the Asian Volleyball Confederation last Friday in Bangkok.

To help commemorate the event, the hosts arranged for a couple of matches involving its national team against Japanese club opposition at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City on September 7 and 8.

The first match of both doubleheaders will feature Alas Pilipinas women against Saga Hisamitsu Springs at 3pm, followed by the Alas Pilipinas men against Osaka Bluteon three hours later.

Tickets to these matches are available via Ticketmax.

One week later, the much-anticipated draw to determine the groups will take place on September 14 at the Solaire Resort Hotel.

“It’s all systems go for the preparations heading to the world championship that will be marked with year-long activities including a Trophy Tour that would bring the MWCH trophy to key cities in the country,” Suzara says.

Joining the hosts Philippines and the defending champions Italy are fifteen sides that earned their spot through the continental championships, with the remaining fifteen slots completed just before the start of the one-year countdown.

Leading the charge for the European contingent are Olympic champions France, as well as top-ranked Poland.

Fourth-ranked Slovenia earned their spot through continental play, while the United States, Canada, and Cuba comprise the NORCECA contingent.

South America will have Brazil, Argentina, and Colombia, while providing the Asian flavor aside from the Philippines are Japan, Iran, and Qatar.

Egypt, Libya, and Algeria earned their respective spot through their continental championships.

The remaining fifteen slots mostly went to European sides: Germany, Serbia, The Netherlands, Ukraine, Belgium, Türkiye, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Portugal, Finland and Romania, with China, Korea, Tunisia, and Chile snapping up the remaining berths.

The competition is set to take place from September 12-28.

Alas Pilipinas men off to promising start in run-up to FIVB Men's World Championships

MEMBERS of the Alas Pilipinas men pose with Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richard Bachmann and Philippine National Volleyball Federation officials led by president Ramon “Tats” Suzara, secretary-general Donaldo Caringal, chairman Dr. Arnel Hajan, vice president Ricky Palou and directors Tonyboy Liao, Yul Benosa and Karl Jeffrey Chan II.

A HISTORIC bronze medal, two individual awards and the Alas Pilipinas men’s team is off to a strong start in a year-long preparation for the country’s solo hosting of the prestigious FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship next year.

Alas Pilipinas braved on with a crippled crew to clinch a first bronze medal in the Men’s Southeast Asia V. League first leg over the weekend with a squad of heroes rising to the occasion.

Sans injured Bryan Bagunas and Marck Espejo, Alas leaned on Kim Malabunga and Buds Buddin to take them to a podium finish and in return reap the fruits of their labor.

Malabunga was hailed as the Second Best Middle Blocker while the young Buddin, a National University varsity, earned the Second Best Outside Spiker honor.

But more than that, their gallant stand to history after a pair of fourth-place finishes gave Italian head coach Angiolino Frigoni a stepping stone in his debut tournament for the Philippines.

“It’s a bronze medal. It's better to start with a bronze medal than start without a medal,” said the grizzled coach with stints in the Olympics in his pocket with the Italy women’s team. “But for me, we are just starting, we only played in this competition this year,” 

Frigoni took over only last month and produced results right off the serve for the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) led by president Ramon “Tats” Suzara.

And it doesn’t end there. 

If anything, winning the bronze in the Southeast Asian level is just the beginning for an overall goal of molding the Filipino spikers to ready warriors against world superpowers a year from now.

“I am not thinking of the bronze, I am thinking on how to improve this team. To play in the next competition better together and with a better goal,” he said. “We’re still not on that level. We have to improve not just our skills, but also our mentality. We need experience. We need time. We need more matches.”

Meanwhile, Kissada Nilsawai was named the Most Valuable Player of the first leg as Thailand wiped out the opposition with a perfect campaign without yielding a set yielded in three matches entering the second leg in Indonesia, the winner of the inaugural edition last year.

Hendra Kurniawan (First Best Middle Blocker) and Dio Zulfikri (Best Setter) of silver medalist Indonesia, Thailand’s Napadet Bhinijdee (First Best Outside Spiker) and Tanapat Charoensuk (Best Libero) as well as Vietnam’s Pham Van Hiep (Best Opposite Spiker) completed the mythical team.

Alas Pilipinas set for men's SEA V. League debut

c/o PNVF

Alas Pilipinas is set to officially make its local debut in men's volleyball with the upcoming SEA V. League later this week.

Under its new head coach Angiolino Frigoni, they will face off this Friday against Vietnam at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, with matches against Indonesia on Saturday and Thailand this Sunday.

Frigoni was named to the post back in June, with the FIVB providing the recommendation. The 70-year-old served as the mentor to Italy's women's national team when it made its Olympic appearances in 1992 and 2000.

Backstopping him are assistants Dante Alinsunurin, Matteo Antonucci, and Odjie Mamon, alongside trainer Dexter Clamor, and physiotherapist Yuichi Akaba. Jerome Guhit acts as the team manager.

The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) expects a quality performance from Alas Pilipinas in the first leg of this competition, which will help the side prepare for its impending debut at the FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championships next year.

NSA President Ramon "Tats" Suzara says, "Playing against quality teams in Southeast Asia is a great test for our Philippine men’s team with new men’s coach Angiolino Frigoni. We are excited to see our team compete."

Called up to be the first team under Frigoni's leadership are Bryan Bagunas, Josh Ybañez, Vince Patrick Lorenzo, Jade Lex Disquitado, Kim Malabunga, Noel Kampton, Gabriel Casaña, Ave Joshua Retamar, Rwenzmel Taguibolos, Leo Ordiales, Jenngerard Diao, Lloyd Josafat, Louie Ramirez and Michaelo Buddin.

All the Philippines matches will take place at 6pm, with the first game of the double-header scheduled at 3pm. Tickets are available at the gate or through TicketMax.

Alas Pilipinas will then head to Indonesia for the SEA V. League's second leg, with the details still to be determined.