Bright future seen for Alas Pilipinas Beach

c/o POC/PSC Media

The future is bright for Alas Pilipinas women’s beach volleyball after collegiate players Khy Progella and Sofiah Pagara brought the Philippines to the Asian Games podium for the first time.

Progella and Pagara turned heartbreak into history, rallying from a semifinal loss to capture a historic Asian Games bronze medal—they fought back to stun China’s Cao Shuting and Dong Jie, 13-21, 23-21, 15-13, on Friday at Hekinan Ryokuchi Beach Court.

Alas Pilipinas beach volley coach, Brazilian Joao Luciano Kioday, relished the rise of Philippine beach volleyball, with the pair from University of Santo Tomas proving that the program is in good hands after giving the country its best Asian Games finish in beach volleyball since the sport was introduced at the 1994 Hiroshima Games.

“I think results are always a reference, right? So I think we've improved a lot with the beach volleyball that we deserve a spot on the mix, right? I know Philippine is a country very passionate for the indoor volleyball,” Kioday said.

“A lot of things going on about the indoor volleyball that I think they deserve it what they have it. But don't forget beach volleyball also deserve it,” Kioday added.

“This is for the PSC, POC, PNVF. So we do have a lot of possibilities. I always told them when I have a chance,” he said. “The potential we can have it, so I think this is the time we take the flow and use this medal in a good way, not just for one team, but for the whole program.”

Asian Volleyball Confederation president Ramon “Tats” Suzara congratulated the Pagara and Progella and the whole beach volleyball program under Kioday.

“It’s all about training, training and training and competition .. exposure,” Suzara said.

“The beach volleyball athletes has had plenty of competitions ahead of the games and they reaped the fruits of their hard work here.”

Kioday seeks to ride the momentum from an Asian Games medal breakthrough from Pagara and Progella, following Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons’ gold medal run in the 2025 Southeast Asian Games last December.

The Brazilian hopes for more international exposure for Pagara and Progella as full time beach volleyball players.

“We just want the opportunity, right? Opportunity to take Khy and Sofia, to make them a professional beach volleyball, to make them have hope to be in the Olympic one time, to be the best teams in the world because they have a talent, they have potential for this. And that's what I really hope,” he said.

Pagara agreed with Kioday.

“Sa meeting po, sabi po ni Coach Kioday sa amin, parang ang bata pa po namin sa nangyayari po sa amin ngayon,” Pagara said. “Sa amin po, meron ng experience pero hindi po kagaya sa kanila na sobrang haba po talaga ng experience nila.”

“Sobrang nakaka-overwhelm po yung nangyari. Hindi po namin expect na ganito yung nangyari pero tinarabaho po namin kung ano po talaga yung deserve namin kasi pinaghirapan po namin. So, sobrang nakaka-tuwa, nakakataba ng puso po,” she added.

Progella and Pagara’s historic run came after a near-perfect campaign.

They swept their three Pool G matches, won their round-of-16 and quarterfinal matches, and then pulled off an upset of top-seeded Japanese pair of Non and Ren Matsumoto to reach the semifinals.

Their only defeat came against Thailand’s Taravadee Naraphonapat and Worapeerachayakorn Kongphopsarutawadee, who ended their gold-medal bid with a 23-21, 21-18 win in Thursday’s semifinal.

“Para sa akin yung natutunan ko dito sa liga na ito ay maging pasensya sa sarili at tiwala talaga na kaya po kasi nandun na po yung skills po,” said Pagara.

Philippines secure historic Asiad bronze in beach volleyball

Khy Progella and Sofiah Pagara turned heartbreak into history, rallying from a set down to capture a historic bronze medal in the Asian Games women’s beach volleyball on Thursday at Hekinan Ryokuchi Beach Court.

The young Alas Pilipinas tandem battled back from a slow start to stun China’s Cao Shuting and Dong Jie, 13-21, 23-21, 15-13, securing the Philippines’ first-ever Asian Games podium finish in beach volleyball.

“Sobrang nakaka-overwhelmed po ‘yung nangyari, trinabaho po namin kung ano ‘yung deserve namin,” said Pagara.

Progella and Pagara refused to fold despite being dominated in the opening set and facing a match point in the second, with the Chinese pair moving ahead, 20-19.

The pair from University of Santo Tomas erased the deficit and forced a deciding set, where the match remained tight until the crucial stretch. Locked at 10-all, Progella and Pagara surged ahead, 14-12, putting themselves within one point of the bronze.

China saved one match point, but the Filipinas remained composed.

Dong then sent an over pass long, triggering a celebration from the Philippine side as Progella and Pagara secured their place in Asian Games history.

“Actually noong first set andoon ‘yung kaba and ‘yung pressure na hindi madala ‘yung sarili but at the end of first set, na-overcome namin ‘yung pressure,” said Progella.

The team, supported by the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Sports Commission, celebrated the country's best finish in the event since beach volleyball was introduced at the 1994 Asian Games in Hiroshima.

The bronze came less than 24 hours after Progella and Pagara saw their gold-medal hopes dashed in the semifinals.

PaElla tandem falter in Asiad beach volleyball semifinal

The Alas Pilipinas duo Khy Progella and Sofiah Pagara bowed to Thailand’s Taravadee Naraphonapat and Worapeerachayakorn Kongphopsarutawadee, 21-23, 18-21, in the semifinals to kiss their gold medal hopes goodbye in 20th Asian Games women’s beach volleyball action on Thursday at Hekinan Ryokuchi Beach Court.

Progella and Pagara were poised to take the first set, 19-15, before the Thais countered to take the set point, 20-19.

The Filipinos, supported by the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee, saved a point twice, but the Thais denied their attempt. The first set loss is the first set dropped by the young Alas duo in the tournament.

“Nandun na kami sa moment na kaya namin makuha yung panalo kaso kulangan lang kami sa tiwala sa pinakadulo na kaya talaga namin” said Progella.

In the second set, Progella and Pagara was up, 14-12, but Naraphonapat and Kongphopsarutawadee went on with a 6-0 run six to snatch the lead, 18-14, en route to seal the victory.

Naraphonapat and Kongphopsarutawadee also eliminated Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons from contention in the quarterfinals, 17-21, 21-12, 13-15, on Wednesday.

Progella and Pagara still have a shot at the bronze on Friday when they face China’s Cao Shuting and Dong Jie.

“Mindset namin for the bronze is pinakalast push na namin since last game na for Asian Games so why not all out na at mas sosobrahan pa ang tiwala sa sarili na kaya namin,” said Progella.

Alas Pilipinas Men go winless in Asiad volleyball pool play

The Alas Pilipinas Men closed pool campaign in the Aichi-Nagoya 20th Asian Games with a 25-21, 20-25, 17-25, 27-29 loss to Chinese Taipei on Tuesday at the Okazaki Central Park Gymnasium.

It wasn’t the way the Alas Men wanted their campaign to be in the Asian Games.

“We performed good enough in the first set, I saw the eagerness and the will to win from my teammates,” team captain Bryan Bagunas said. “But when it comes to crucial points, how to deal with them, that’s where we lose our composure.”

Bagunas had 17 points and Joshua Magalaman 16 points for Alas Men in the one hour and 52-minute battle that sent the Filipinos to the classification round where they could finish at the best at ninth place like their women counterparts.

Summing up their performance in group play, Bagunas said they have what it takes to compete at a high level in the Asian Games.

“Our first two opponents are strong but the level of their game is not that high,” he said.

“We’re so close to what they can do on the court.”

For Bagunas, the priority is to carry the lessons from the pool stage into their remaining matches.

“We’re hoping to lessen our errors so we could snatch victories in the classification round,” he said.

Lao apologizes for Asiad mess for Philippine volleyball

Alas Pilipinas Men c/o POC/PSC

Despite barely warming his seat as president of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF), Frank Lao is taking full responsibility and accountability for the lack of financial support for the national athletes competing in the 20th Asian Games.

In a statement on Monday, Lao issued a humble apology to the Alas Pilipinas men’s squad — particularly team captain Bryan Bagunas — following his revelations about the severe lack of federation backing heading into this prestigious continental showcase.

Lao, a distinguished businessman and chairman of Strong Group Athletics, admitted that upon stepping into office last month, he inherited a depleted treasury burdened with roughly P25 million in liabilities and outstanding payables.

Compounding the crisis, financial assistance from the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) remains frozen following the suspension and withdrawal of support by the International Volleyball Federation and the Philippine Olympic Committee last June — a fallout that effectively choked off the allowances of athletes preparing for the Asian Games.

With that, Lao has begun digging into his own personal resources to settle federation debts, clear unpaid coaching salaries, and cover foreign travel expenses. In fact, before the Alas Pilipinas Men flew to Nagoya, he personally distributed P20,000 in pocket money to each player and shouldered the round-trip airfare for late addition Owa Retamar.

“As president of the PNVF, I take full accountability for what happened to the allowances of both Alas Pilipinas Men and Women squads as well as the beach volleyball teams,” said Lao, who stayed until the wee hours of Monday trying to figure out how to solve this financial crisis and stabilize the morale of the athletes competing in the Asian Games.

“After taking over the PNVF in the middle of August, we were left with nothing but more than P25 million in debt. We are now starting to pay all the coaches, settle travel trips, and clear other payables that the federation owes them.”

The PNVF had been mired in toxic leadership disputes long before Lao secured the presidency during the August 10 special elections at the Solaire Theater Southlinks Boardroom.

Yet, rather than pointing fingers or making excuses, Lao is turning the page and calling on stakeholders to rally behind the athletes.

“Ako na ang humihingi ng pasensya na nagkulang kami. Pero bigyan nyo kami ng pagkakataon na makabawi sa inyo,” Lao said, displaying a rare corporate humility in the face of an administrative mess created and left by his predecessors.

“Just give me some time po. Sa akin ito bilang presidente ng PNVF. I take this responsibility. Sorry po.”

Alas Pilipinas Men drops opening Asiad assignment

The Alas Pilipinas Men opened its Aichi-Nagoya 20th Asian Games campaign with a 25-16, 27-25, 25-22 loss to South Korea on Sunday at the Park Arena Komaki.

But the defeat, according to team captain Bryan Bagunas, was only part of the challenges facing the team.

“Medyo madami kaming errors talaga, kailangan namin manage errors namin,” Bagunas said.

The Philippines struggled to close out sets, with South Korea pulling away when it mattered most.

“Nandun na e. Siguro yung finishing lang e, dun kami nagkakamali pag patapos na yung set. Need namin manage yung errors,” he said.

Bagunas also pointed to their limited preparation as the team had only been training with Joshua Retamar for two days for the Asian Games.

“Siguro isa yung serving namin… two days pa lang kami training with Owa [Retamar],” Bagunas said.

Bagunas said he has been reminding the younger players to use the Asian Games as an opportunity to gain exposure, particularly with the possibility of playing overseas in the future.

“Sabi namin itong Asian Games malaking tulong para sa amin lalo na para sa mga bata, exposure na rin nila,” he said. “Kung makakapaglaro overseas as import, makikita sila dito.”

“So yun na lang sinasabi ko sa kanila, minomotivate ko na lang sila na laban lang natin ito and sana in the future mas okay yung suporta na dadating sa amin. Tuloy-tuloy lang.” Despite the difficult situation, Bagunas made sure to acknowledge the fans who traveled to Japan to support the team. 

“Talagang nagpapasalamat talaga kami sa lahat ng fans na pumunta pa dito sa Japan para suportahan kami. Talagang di naffeel yung walang suporta from the fans. Nandiyan kayo, manalo o matalo.”

Retamar arrives in time for Alas Pilipinas' Asiad opener

A heavy 8-game schedule marks the start of the men’s volleyball competition on Sunday, Sept 27, with Alas Pilipinas Men hoping for an encouraging start to their campaign at the Aichi-Nagoya 20th Asian Games.

But it won’t be easy, as Alas Men clash with perennial contender South Korea in one of the three games scheduled at Park Arena Komaki at 1 p.m.

After the arrival of versatile setter Ave Joshua “Owa” Retamar from Europe on Friday , where he plays for Ordu Sports Club  in Azerbaijan, the team looks inspired and ready to rumble against the Koreans.

“Okey naman sila sa ngayon, we are hoping maging maganda ang resulta ng laro nami bulas kahit ngayon lang maging complete,” said team manager Ronwald Dimaculangan, who is the coach of the team of University of the East in the UAAP.

Though Retamar has had only a day to practice with the team, chemistry will not be much of a problem since he knows his teammates very well, having played together during the 2025 FIVB World Championships in Manila.

Out to play key roles for the team are veterans Bryan Bagunas, Marck Jesus Espejo, Josh Ybañez, and Lloyd Josafat.

Though the Koreans are known for their offensive firepower, Alas Men will be putting more premium on how they play.

“That will be our focus, our own games rather than our opponents,” added Dimaculangan.

Meanwhile, four-peat seeking Iran starts its campaign against Kyrgyzstan at 1 p.m., while AVC Continental Cup champion Japan faces Uzbekistan in Pool A, beginning  7 p.m. at the Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park.

China, which was also drawn with Alas and Korea in Pool D, collides with Chinese-Taipei at 7 p.m.

SiPons stumble against Kazakhstan, await opponent in knockout rounds

For Sisi Rondina and the Alas Pilipinas women’s beach volleyball team, the loss to Kazakhstan in Pool E was a missed opportunity.

Alas dropped the opening set, 21-17, but bounced back dominantly to level the playing field with a 21-10 win in the second. Kazakhstan however held on in the deciding set, to take the match at the final score of 15-10.

“We missed the opportunity, ’yan lang masasabi ko. Sayang pero brighter side pa rin kami,” Rondina said.

Despite the setback, Rondina stressed that the team remains hopeful knowing there is still a long way to go in the competition.

“Positive pa rin kami sa mga upcoming days and games namin. Nakakalungkot but at the same time nakaka-excite kung ano pa yung susunod na mangyari,” she said. “We need to prepare for the next games. Ang haba pa ng liga.”

The focus now is on recovery, making adjustments and cleaning up their execution before their next match on Sept. 28. Their opponent will be determined on Sept. 27, after all the matches have been completed.

“Kailangan namin aralin and maging maayos pa sa mga galaw namin. And babawi!!! Kahit anong mangyari. Rest and recover and banat ulit!!!”

Abdilla-Francisco tandem eliminated from Asian Men's Beach Volleyball

c/o POC/PSC Media

The Alas Pilipinas Men couldn’t wear down Oman in a closely-fought second set to absorb a 14-21, 26-28 defeat—the second in Pool A—to crash out of the men’s beach volleyball competition in the Aichi-Nagoya 20th Asian Games on Thursday at the Hekinan Ryokuchi Beach Court.

Lerry Francisco and Alnakran Abadilla’s loss ended their competitive season, but assistant coach Leonardo Gomes saw a bright spot in Francisco, who has only been playing beach volleyball for two and a half years.

“It was a very disappointing result for us. We had a chance to close out the second set, but we didn’t take advantage of our counterattack opportunities.” Gomes said. “After that, the set kept going point by point, and unfortunately, we couldn’t finish it.”

Gomes said Francico’s only in his  fourth tournament but showed he could compete at the Asian Games level, playing with courage and confidence.

“Unfortunately, the result didn’t come, but if there is one positive thing we can take from this match, it is Lerry’s performance and his continued development as a beach volleyball player,” Gomes said.

“At the end of the day, experience matters a lot, especially in important moments like the ones we had today,” he said.

The 34th SEA Games will now be the next major target and for Gomes, the team must reassess its direction, identify its mistakes and learn from the Asian Games.

He remains hopeful given the group’s young age and the potential he sees from the team.

Lessons learned from Asiad for Alas Women

c/o POC/PSC Media

For Alas Pilipinas Women, the Aichi-Nagoya 20th Asian Games was about the chance to compete for a medal and ninth place was never the dream, but it became the best outcome after their quarterfinal hopes were cut short.

So the Filipinas had to shift gears and head coach Taka Minowa gave them a new target—win all three classification games and finish as high as they could.

They did exactly that and closed out with a straight-set win over Hong Kong, 25-21, 25-9, 30-28, on Tuesday night to seal ninth place—a victory the Filipinas clinched ahead of the women’s volleyball gold medal match won by China, 25-19, 25-20, 25-23, at the Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Gymnasium.

But the victories do not change the fact that they did not reach their goal—Alas came to Nagoya wanting more, knowing they can do more.

China and Kazakhstan stopped their run with the Chinese sweeping the Filipinas, 18-25, 22-25, 8-25, and the Kazakhs earning a 29-27, 24-26, 25-23, 25-19 victory.

The Kazakhstan match showed two sides of this Alas team—enough fight and firepower to push a stronger opponent, but not enough consistency to finish the job.

New goal, new mindset. The medal was gone, but the tournament wasn't.

Minowa made sure his players understood that. Three games remained, and all had to go their way. Alas took care of business, beating Qatar (25-8, 25-2, 25-9), Mongolia (25-13, 25-11, 25-20) and Hong Kong to close on a three-game winning streak.

For Angel Canino, the wins mattered.

“Actually, happy kami. Although hindi 'yun yung gusto naming overall goal sa Asian Games, happy kami sa lahat ng wins namin… yung mga nagawa namin as a team and, of course, yung learning experience,” Canino said.

It was Canino's first Asian Games.

“Grabeng achievement siguro individually… such an amazing experience na makasama ko my ates, na makasama ako sa Philippine national team. Kasi yung iba diyan, ini-idolize ko din,” she said.
Bella Belen was candid about what the tournament exposed.

“Iba. Iba talaga yung laruan. Ang dami naming napulot, lalo na sa amin mga bata,” she said. “Alam namin na meron pang dapat itaas. Taas pa namin yung level of playing namin.”

It showed what needs to improve. Minowa also saw progress after facing China and Kazakhstan.

“Actually, I think we have improvements… we have a lot to gain, experience. We became better team,” Belen added.

But now comes the harder part: How do you turn those lessons into actual progress?

Promising sign is that Canino is already looking five years ahead, hoping for a quarterfinal breakthrough and Belen saying the same thing—she wants to be back and finish higher.

So yes, Alas Pilipinas Women finish ninth. But ninth needs context. It was the best they could do after the medal run ended.

They came to Nagoya wanting a medal. They leave with ninth place but a clearer idea of how to get closer to one.

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.

SiPons secures breakthrough BPT Challenge victory

c/o PNVF

SISI RONDINA and Bernadeth Pons repeated over Slovenia’s Ziva Javornik and Tajda Lovsin, 21-19, 21-9, in a round of 32 match on Friday morning to notch the Philippines’ first-ever Challenge victory in the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour series at the Nuvali Sands Court by Ayala Land in Santa Rosa, Laguna.

“We’re very grateful to win our first match in the Challenge level and we hope to sustain our run to advance further in the tournament,” said Rondina, who—with then partner Jovelyn Gonzaga—beat compatriots Genesa Jane “Jen” Eslapor and Floremel Rodriguez, 22-24, 21-12, 15-12, in the final of the 2022 Beach Pro Tour Futures in Subic for a 1-2 Philippine finish.

The FIVB’s Beach Pro Tour has five levels—Futures, Challenge, Elite 16, Finals and finally the World Championships.

“This is big for us,” added Rondina who, alongside Pons who are ranked __ in the world, defeated the No. 78 Slovenian pair, 16-21, 21-15, 15-9, in the Futures in Budapest only last month.

Standing in the way of Rondina and Pons is a round-of-24 match against Switzerland’s Annique Niederhauser and Bentele, who are coming off an 18-21, 21-14, 16-18 loss to Australia’s Taliqua Clancy and Jana Milutinovic also on Friday.

A victory by Rondina and Pons over the Swiss which was scheduled for 6 p.m. on Friday would mean a breakthrough round-of-16 slot for Alas Pilipinas in the event hosted by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation headed by Ramon “Tats” Suzara.

“We just have to believe that we can compete and winning here for the first time in our career has boosted our confidence,” Pons said.

“It’s a great privilege that our athletes are able to play in this level of volleyball and win the match,” Alas Pilipinas’s Brazilian coach Joao “Kioday” Luciano Simao Barbosa said. “It proved that we’re in the right path and hope one day we will be exposed more to this kinds of events.”

Kly Orillaneda and Gen Eslapor, however, lost to USA’s Teegan Van Gunst and Piper Ferch, 19-21, 11-21, and Sonny Villapando and Dij Rodriguez squandered a 13-8 lead in the second set to yield to Japan’s Sakura Ito and Mayu Sawame, 18-21, 25-27, to exit the tournament that ends Sunday.

Alas Pilipinas pairs in must-win situation in Nuvali beach volley worlds

c/o PNVF

FOUR Alas Pilipinas pairs fell short at the start of the main draw action to drop to must-win situations in the Volleyball World 2025 Beach Pro Tour Challenge on Thursday at the Nuvali Sands Court by Ayala Land in Santa Rosa, Laguna.

First to fall when the sun shone brightly the whole day were James Buytrago and Ran Abdilla to a taller Australian duo of D’Artagnan Potts and Jack Pearse, 21-14, 21-18, in a Pool H  morning session.

In the afternoon, Kly Orillaneda and Gen Eslapor lost to Finland’s Anniina Parkkinin and Vilhelmiina Prihti, 11-21, 15-21, in Pool H and Sonny Villapando and Dij Rodriguez bowed to New Zealand’s Shaunna Polley and Olivia MacDonald, 19-21, 14-21, in Pool D.

Then the celebrated pair of Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons yielded to world-ranked Thainara Mylena Feitosa de Oliveira and Talita Simonetti of Brazil, 17-21, 16-21, in Pool G play.

All’s not lost for Alas Pilipinas though, but they need to win the second of their main draw matches—and get the better end of possible tiebreaks—to advance further in the tournament hosted by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation headed by Ramon “Tats” Suzara.

“This is a first time for us in the Challenge, and we learned a lot of new things, but we’re not out yet,” Rondina said. “We’re just grateful that we played them—they’ve been playing the sport for the longest time.”

Rondina and Pons are ranked No. 137 in the world while Oliveira and Simonetti are one of seven world-ranked Brazilan pairs at No. 72.

“We played against a great Brazilian team that can adjust in any situation and they changed the complexion of the game and we couldn’t,” Brazilian coach Joao “Kioday” Luciano Simao Barbosa said. “We must learn from this.”

Up next for Rondina and Pons on Friday are Slovenia’s Ziva Javornik and Tajda Lovsin, who are No. 78 in the world  but fell victims to the Alas aces in the Futures tournament in Budapest only last month, 16-21, 21-15, 15-9.

“We’re hoping we them again,” Kioday said.

Villapando and Rodriguez take on Japan’s Sakura Ito and Mayu Sawame and Eslapor and Orillaneda battle the US’s Teegan Van Gunst and Piper Ferch on Friday.

Buytrago and Abdilla fought for survival against Americans Tim Brewster and Ryan Lerna on Thursday evening.

Buytrago, Abadilla yield to Aussies in FIVB beach volleyball pool play

c/o PNVF

ALAS Pilipinas top pair of James Buytrago and Ran Abdilla held fort only to tumble against a taller Australian duo of D’Artagnan Potts and Jack Pearse, 21-14, 21-18, to start off their pool play in the Volleyball World 2025 Beach Pro Tour Challenge at the Nuvali Sands Court by Ayala Land on Thursday in Santa Rosa, Laguna.

“We adjusted very well in our strategies to disrupt their plays, but we just couldn’t sustain our game to the end,” said the 26-year-old Buytrago, who played with an injured right index finger. “The paint merely went off during the match maybe because of adrenaline.”

The Alas Pilipinas pair, which clinched bronze in the 2023 Cambodia Southeast Asian Games, gave the Aussies a scare at 18-19 but fell short in the Pool H match.

All’s not lost though for Buytrago and Abdilla—they still have a match on Thursday against Tim Brewster and Ryan Lerna of the US for their knockout round aspirations.

Italy’s Enrico Rossi and Marco Viscovich defeated Brewster and Lerna, 21-12, 22-20, to join Potts and Pearse unbeaten 1-0 slate in Pool H of the weeklong competition hosted by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation headed by Ramon “Tats” Suzara.

“We still have a chance if we win against the USA in our later match. I believe we can bounce back later,” Buytrago said.

Indonesia’s Akbar Bintang and Sofyan Rachman Efendi, who won gold in the Beach Pro Tour Futures last year in Wuhan (China), beat Germany’s Philip Huster and Maximilian Just, 23-21, 21-19, in a Pool D duel.

In other men’s results, Spain’s Alejandro Juerta and Adrian Gavira beat Latvia’s Ardis Beritis and Arturs Rinkevics, 21-19, 21-18, in Pool D, and the US’s Logan Webber and Hagen Smith downed Denmark’s Mads Mollgaard and Nicolai Houmann, 21-17, 18-21, 15-12, in Pool B.

Rondina-Pons leads Alas Pilpinas bid in main draw of Nuvali FIVB Beach Volleyball event

Gaviola and Polidario (c/o PNVF)

SISI RONDINA and Bernadeth Pons take on a duo from Brazil and Sunny Villapando and Dij Rodriguez face rivals from New Zealand in the main draw on Thursday hoping to make up for Alas Pilipinas’s bad hair day in the qualification round of the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour at the Nuvali Sands Court by the Ayala Land in the City Santa Rosa, Laguna.

Rondina and Pons square off with Mylene Thainarra and Talita Simonetti in the 3 p.m. match of the tournament hosted by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation, with Villapando and Rodriguez tackling Shaunna Polley and Olivia McDonald at 1:20 p.m. both on center court.

Kly Orillaneda and Gen Eslapor will compete against Anniina Parkkinin and Vilhelmiina Prihti in the 2:10 p.m. duel also both at center court.

Cambodia 2023 Southeast Asian Games bronze medalists James Buytrago and Ran Abdilla begin their campaign in the men’s main draw against world No. 47 D’ Artagnan Potts and Jack Pearse of Australia also on Thursday at 10:10 a.m.

It wasn’t the way three Alas Pilipinas pairs wanted in the qualification round on Wednesday when the matches in all five courts of the Nuvali facility were played in a drizzle in the morning and under overcast skies the whole day.

Jenny Gaviola and Alexa Polidario had a good chance of pulling off an upset but squandered the opportunity against Canada’s Amanda Harnett and Devin Corah, 15-21, 16-21.

“This is our first time to play together in an international competition, but we gave it our best although we failed to snatch the opportunity,” the 26-year-old Gaviola, playing out of the Philippine Coast Guard and Muntinlupa City said. “We learned a lot of things in this match as we saw how our opponents adjusted when they trailed.”

The 27-year-old Polidario, of the Philippine Army, also said they would learn from the experience to get better ahead of the Thailand 33rd Southeast Asian Games in December.

“It was bad moment. We lost our focus in this mental game,” Alas Pilipinas’s Brazilian beach volleyball coach Joao “Kioday” Luciano Simao Barbosa said. “It’s the same result with our men’s game earlier.”

In the men’s qualifiers, Larry John Francisco and Edwin Tolentino suffered a 15-21, 10-21 loss to Freddie Bialokoz and Issa Batrane of England while Ronniel Rosales and Rancel Varga fell to Canada’s Luke Se Greeff and Martin Litch, 17-21, 15-21.

“We expect a strong oppositions because we are competing in the Challenge level—far more competitive than the Futures,” Rondina said. “But we will be ready for tomorrow against anybody. We trained for this.”

Alas Pilipinas seeks to earn berths in World Beach Volley main draw

c/o PNVF

THREE Philippines women’s pair led by Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons and two men’s tandems target spots in the main draw in the qualification matches for the Volleyball World 2025 Beach Pro Tour Challenge on Wednesday at the Nuvali Sands Court by the Ayala Land in the City of Santa Rosa in Laguna.

Ronniel Rosales and Rancel Varga and Edwin Tolentino and Larry John Francisco kick off Alas Pilipinas’s campaign against foreign opponents at 9 a.m. as seeded athletes James Buytrago and Ran Abdilla drew a bye in the qualification round.

“It’s good that we are seeded in this event and we do not need to play in the qualification that will keep us fresh in the main draw,” said Buytrago, who along with Abadilla clinched a bronze medal in the Cambodia 2023 Southeast Asian Games.

The specific pairings will be known only after the preliminary inquiry which was scheduled late afternoon Tuesday.

Buytrago and Abdilla are one of the 24 men’s teams seeded in the 32-pair main draw that starts Thursday.

“We’re hoping to improve on our quarterfinal finish in last year’s BPT although it will not be easy,” added Buytrago, as he acknowledged the rigid training they’ve been getting under Brazilian coach Joao Luciano Simao Barbosa.

“I’ll be playing with an injured index finger so we’ll just give our best,” he said.

Jenny Gaviola and Alexa Polidario, Sunny Villapando and Dij Rodriguez and Kly Orillaneda and Gen Eslapor will also plunge into action in the qualifiers of the FIVB Volleyball World tournament hosted by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation headed by Ramon “Tats” Suzara.

The popular tandem of Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons, rank 137th in the world, will see action on Thursday in the main draw.

World’s No. 6 Jacob Holting Nilsson and Elmer Andersson  of Sweden are the men’s defending their champions of the competition that drew 65 men’s pairs from 25 nations and 46 women’s duos from 15 countries.

Rondina-Pons lead Filipino participation in upcoming World Beach Pro Tour Challenge

Rondina. Pons.

SIS RONDINA and Bernadeth Pons and three other local pairs lead the campaign as the Philippines becomes the epicenter anew of global volleyball action in the Volleyball World 2025 Beach Pro Tour Challenge set October 15 to 19 at the Nuvali Sands Court by the Ayala Land in the City of Santa Rosa in Laguna.

Joining the Rondina-Pons tandem in the event organized by the FIVB through Volleyball World are Jenny Gaviola and Alexa Polidario, Sunny Villapando and Dij Rodriguez and Kly Orillaneda and Gen Eslapor.

They are among 111 pairs in the competition hosted by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation led by Ramon “Tats” Suzara and coming off the country’s successful hosting of the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship last month.

“After the world championship hosting, here we are again at the Beach Volley Pro Tour with exciting world-class matches in Nuvali,” Suzara said.

The Philippines will will also be fielding 2023 Southeast Asian Games bronze medalist Ran Abdilla and James Buytrago, Ronniel Rosales and Rancel Varga and Edwin Tolentino and Larry John Francisco in the men’s division.

Sweden’s Jacob Holting Nilsson and Elmer Andersson are back to defend their men’s crown against a formidable field that includes Rio de Janeiro leg champions, brothers Javier and Joaquin Bello of England—they clinched the bronze medal last November also in Nuvali.

Forty-six pairs from 15 countries are seeing action in the women’s competition where Americans Toni Rodriguez and Molly Shaw are the defending champions.

Philippines unveils seven-year program in partnership with FIVB, announced as host for 2029 Women's World Championships

c/o FIVB, Volleyball World, and the PNVF

Before the final of the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship commenced, a special announcement took place at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

FIVB President Fabio Azevedo, and Brazilian volleyball icon Leila Barros shared to the fans present that the Philippines is set to host the 2029 edition of the FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship.

Azevedo tells the crowd, "Thank you very much for your warm welcome. Thank you for hosting the best world championships ever." Before adding, "But now. when you’re thinking that we’re going to the end, we have an amazing surprise …. Philippines are you ready?"

Barros then says in her native Portuguese, "Congratulations Philippines! You are hosting the 2029 FIVB Women’s World Championships!" The volleyball icon and now senator back home concludes, "Mahal ko kayo!"

The announcement completes the schedule of the World Championships in the next two editions.

2027 sees Poland (men) and the United States and Canada (women) as hosts, with Qatar previously announced as the host for the 2029 edition for the men.

In a subsequently statement, Azevedo notes, "Hosting the Volleyball Women’s World Championship 2029 in the Philippines is an opportunity to again showcase not only the very best of volleyball but also the positive impact our sport has on society."

The Women's World Championship is set to be the centerpiece of a seven-year volleyball development program unveiled by the Philippine Sports Commission chairman Patrick Gregorio, positioning the country as a rising global hub for the sport. He made the presentation to key FIVB and Volleyball World officials, including Azevedo, VW CEO Ugo Valensi, and Ramon Suzara, who not only is the head of both the Philippine National Volleyball Federation and the Asian Volleyball Confederation, but also is a FIVB Executive Vice President. 

Also present for the presentation are all five of FIVB's continental confederation presidents, as well as the 24-member FIVB Board of Administration, and PNVF Secretary-General Don Caringal. 

Gregorio says about this new partnership, "This long-term partnership with FIVB and Volleyball World—a transformative empowerment program for our athletes first, and a bold push for sports tourism toward economic growth second—will not only allow our country to be at the heart of volleyball’s global growth; it will set a historic blueprint for Philippine sports development overall."

Building on the success of the Men's World Championship, the PSC sees a transformative opportunity in the world of Philippine volleyball, combining elite athlete development with sports tourism, with the latter being aligned to the national tourism agenda as it tries to attract fans worldwide to come visit the country.

The program also includes other aspects like sports education and infrastructure, broadcast production, global marketing integration, imapct studies, and ticket consultancy, with the aspiration of getting both its indoor and beach teams berths in the 2032 Olympics.

Suzara adds, "We are determined to carry forward the momentum of the World Championship 2025 and channel it into something lasting for our athletes, our fans and our nation. It is also an honor to see the sport that I love contribute meaningfully to my nation’s sports and tourism agenda."

From VW's perspective, Valensi says, "Building on the success of the Men’s World Championship here in 2025, we know the Philippines offers the perfect stage to inspire the next generation and connect communities across the country and the region."

Azevedo adds, "This is a landmark program and our boldest one yet, but we are absolutely committed, because we believe in the potential of the Philippines, and we could not ask for a better partner in our mission to transform the world through sport. Let us create history together for volleyball in Asia."

To prepare for the hosting, Gregorio shares, "We will form a consortium with private sectors and organizations to lead and sustain this project, to create even more opportunities for our athletes and fans to be part of something truly special." He also stresses that this move will not just be a government-led initiative.

He concludes, "We will pursue this passionately, with much gratitude to the FIVB, Volleyball World and the entire Global Volleyball Movement for their friendship and support."

Aside from the World Championships, it is expected that the Philippines will serve as a future host for legs in both the Volleyball National League and the Beach Volleyball Pro Tour, and likely hosting the 2023 AVC Continental Championships that would serve as the Qualifier for the Brisbane Olympics in 2032.

FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship set to slash ticket prices

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (center) with PSCx chairman Patrick Gregorio (left) and PNVF president Ramon “Tats” Suzara

AS a gift to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on his 68th birthday on Saturday—and a gesture of gratitude to Filipino volleyball fans—the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship has reduced ticket prices to the world-class event that is ongoing at the SM MOA Arena and Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“To give back to Filipino volleyball fans and on the same day that our President celebrated his birthday, it’s but fitting that the LOC and the national volleyball federation offer this gift to the most important stakeholders of the sport—the President and the fans,” Philippine National Volleyball Federation and LOC president Ramon “Tats” Suzata said on Saturday.

“We have a President whose love for sports reverberate in the four corners of our country, not only in volleyball, but in all sports, especially grassroots development,” added Suzara, who also thanked the Philippine Sports Commission, chaired by Patrick Gregorio, for championing the goals set by the President for Philippinine sports.

President Marcos made the opening ceremony at the SM Mall of Asia Arena extra special by making the ceremonial serve and providing support to Alas Pilipinas as it battled Tunisia in a Pool A action in the 32-nation world championship.

“The President showed that he wants Filipinos to enjoy a world-class event and we are fully supporting that mission,” Suzara said.

Not only did President Marcos who support to the event but the First Family as well with First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos and sons William Vincent, co-chair of the LOC, and and Joseph Simon wearing Alas Pilipinas’s colors from court side on Friday.

The LOC, Suzara said, will announce the new ticket prices in time for Sunday’s resumption of the pool matches both at the SM Mall of Asia and Smart Araneta Coliseum.

President Marcos celebrated his birthdat with a festive “Salo Salo sa Palasyo” as Malacañang opened the Kalayaan Grounds to the public, a nationwide medical mission and a one-day also nationwide offering of P20-per-kilo rice through the “Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!” (BBM Na!) initiative.

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/