Owa Retamar and Eco Adajar have been chosen to steer the offense for Alas Pilipinas in their 2025 FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship campaign.
[Editor's Note: This article has been updated to reflect the updates in the Alas Pilipinas roster]
With the Philippines hosting the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship, the battle for setter spots is one of the most critical storylines in Alas Pilipinas’ 21-man training pool.
Only a handful will make the cut for the final 14, and with the setter’s role as the “brain” of the team, the decision carries weight.
Four names are in contention: Owa Retamar, Elijah Tae-Yin Kim, John Michael Paglaon, and Eco Adajar.
And in the final cut, two remained: Owa and Eco.
Owa Retamar
Owa Retamar has been steering Alas Pilipinas Men's offense over the past international tournaments. | Photo: RM Chua/One Sports
Owa Retamar has long been the heartbeat of NU’s championship machine and has carried that same command into the national team.
He steered Alas Pilipinas in several international tournaments since 2019, where his ability to involve the middles stood out.
His experience in high-pressure matches, plus his familiarity with Alas’ core players, make him the most natural choice to run the system.
[ALSO READ: Six years after SEAG silver, Owa Retamar relishes shot to show off PH volleyball in Worlds]
Elijah Tae-Yin Kim (Cut from final roster)
Elijah Kim brings a unique edge as a Korean-Filipino with training stints abroad.
Not much is known about Kim, except that he was included in the 21-man pool for the World Championship.
Still, his international discipline and adaptability could make him an intriguing option in the future for Angiolino Frigoni, who could be seeking a different playmaking style.
John Michael Paglaon (Cut from final roster)
Another rather unknown setter, John Michael Paglaon, is the underdog story in the pool, climbing from grassroots programs to the national stage.
He’s made his mark in Spikers’ Turf with gutsy sets with the Savouge Spin Doctors—something that could inject unpredictability when Alas needs a momentum shift in the future.
Eco Adajar
Eco Adajar comes in for Steven Rotter during the Alas Pilipinas Invitationals. | Photo: RM Chua/One Sports
Eco Adajar has proven himself to be a valuable backup setter alongside Retamar during Alas’ recent international tournaments.
The DLSU star may not be as flashy as the younger contenders, but his maturity and court sense provide a safety net for the team.
[ALSO READ: SCHEDULE, RESULTS | Alas Pilipinas debut at 2025 FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship]
Kiko Demigillo’s journey in sports storytelling began with a deep passion for games and athletes, which eventually grew into a full-fledged career.
Now a dedicated sportswriter, Kiko covers a wide range of beats for One Sports, including the PVL, UAAP, PBA, and various international tournaments.