Alas Pilipinas head coach Angiolino Frigoni remains grounded despite the team's undefeated run in the Invitationals, reminding supporters of the tougher road ahead of the 2025 FIVB World Championship.
Despite a perfect run in the Alas Pilipinas Invitationals, head coach Angiolino Frigoni urged for realistic expectations as the men’s national team faces a daunting road ahead toward the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship in September.
Alas Men completed a perfect run in the tournament, beating Indonesia’s Jakarta Bhayangkara Presisi, Korean V-League champions Hyundai Capital Skywalkers, and the Thailand Men’s National Volleyball Team.
But with 91 days left before the opening of the World Championship, Frigoni admits there might not be enough time for the 59th-ranked Philippines to catch up to the likes of No. 16 Iran, No. 22 Egypt, and No. 39 Tunisia.
“I don't know if we have enough time,” Frigoni admitted to reporters. “We will do our best to be good there.”
[ALSO READ: Alas Pilipinas gears up for tough Pool A battle in 2025 FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship]
Frigoni was nonetheless pleased with the team's performance throughout the three-day invitational tournament, capped by a gutsy five-set triumph over regional rival Thailand on Independence Day at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
“The three matches, we had bad moments. But we didn't give up. We stay there and we play. And that is what I like,” he said.
During the tournament, Alas Men showed flashes of brilliance with the performances of Marck Espejo, Owa Retamar, Steven Rotter, Louie Ramirez, Josh Ybanez, Leo Oridales, and Buds Buddin.
[ALSO READ: Marck Espejo eyes better form for Alas Pilipinas after 31-point explosion vs Thailand]
While the team celebrated its growth, Frigoni reminded everyone of the gap that still exists at the world level.
“You know which ranking you are in the world, right?” Frigoni stressed. “We are going to compete against Iran in the World Championship. Against Egypt that I know very well because I was coaching there a long time ago. And again Tunisia, so they are in another level of ranking and in another level of volleyball."
But since taking over the reigns for Alas Men last year, the national team has grown leaps and bounds under the Italian tactian, beating regional rivals in past competitions.
[ALSO READ: Louie Ramirez proud of growth under Alas coach Angiolino Frigoni after 25-point outing vs Jakarta]
For now, Frigoni will hope their momentum can continue and further develop with the months ahead before September.
"I think that we can be close to them because also last year we were far from Thailand. And now we are more close,” he said. “I mean, today we win, tomorrow we can lose, but we are close to them. You know, and that for me is very important.”
The momentum from the Invitationals will be tested quickly, as Alas Pilipinas flies to Bahrain for the AVC Men's Volleyball Nations Cup beginning Tuesday.
The Philippines is grouped with Chinese Taipei and Pakistan in Pool C, where the top two teams will enter the quarterfinals.
Following the AVC tournament, the national team will head abroad for further tune-ups against World Championship-bound squads including Romania, Portugal, and Chile.
[ALSO READ: TIMELINE: Alas Men set for jam-packed international calendar ahead of 2025 FIVB World Championship]