Alas Pilipinas are set to make history, seeing action in 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship which the Philippines will host starting Friday, September 12.
Debuting in the world championships, Alas Pilipinas are part of Pool A and will test their mettle against Tunisia in their opener, before battling Egypt and Iran in the preliminary phase.
As the lowest ranked unit in the 32-team tournament, Alas is clearly the underdog in the mix.
[RELATED: TIMELINE: Alas Pilipinas Men’s road to the 2025 FIVB World Championship]
But with the hope of a whole nation resting on their shoulders, the Filipino spikers are raring to make the most of their experience, especially as they hope to amp up the support for local men’s volleyball with high-octane action and interactive moments with the fans.
Days before the ball gets rolling at the FIVB World Championship, Alas Pilipinas Men bared to One Sports their wishlist for Philippine men’s volleyball.
Owa’s wish: A wake-up call
For Alas Pilipinas setter Owa Retamar, wins on the taraflex are not just the things that matter the most for the national team.
Rather, he wants that the Philippine volleyball community realize just how far we have to go to compete with the best.
Owa Retamar has been one of the stalwarts of Alas Pilipinas in recent years. | Photo: RM Chua / One Sports
Not one to bring down the spirit, Retamar simply wants the fire to never die down, and that with enough work, time, and effort poured into growing volleyball in the Philippines — especially the men’s side — Filipinos can also reach their highest potential.
“Siguro para sa Pilipinas, yung gusto kong mangyari. Gusto ko malaman ng lahat ng manlalaro ng volleyball dito sa Pilipinas kung gaano pa tayo kalayo sa realidad ng volleyball and sana matutunan ng bawa’t isa, or mapanood,” Retamar said.
“Para sa susunod na mga taon, ma-improve nila or malaman nila kung ano pa yung dapat nilang i-improve.”
The Philippines will be hosting games featuring the world’s top teams, including Olympic champion France and world no. 1 Poland, providing high-level volleyball for Filipinos to see.
Josh’s wish: For the next generation
Hitter-turned-libero Josh Ybañez had a different take — still focusing on the future of Philippine volleyball, but on a different plane.
That is, Ybañez hopes that seeing world class volleyball will not just entertain, but also inspire the next generation of volleyball players in the country.
With basketball still the top sport in the Philippines, the UST star believes that these World Championships will be pivotal to grow volleyball from the grassroots level.
“Sana mas tataas, lalo na sa men’s, yung level ng sistema ng volleyball sa Philippines,” Ybañez prefaced.
“And ayun, sana naman mas maraming mga youth na magv-volleyball. Mas maraming ma-inspire na maglaro ng volleyball.”
Josh Ybanez (in blue) converted himself into a libero for national team duty. | Photo: RM Chua / One Sports
Among the youngest in the team, Ybañez is also one of the few collegiate players in the Alas roster, with most of the team built up of older and more experienced core standouts.
Buds’ wish: Way to SEA Games podium
Spitfire hitter Buds Buddin focused on something goal-oriented in his wish, with a specific objective in mind.
Not one to be confined just to the World Championship, the NU product sees the elite competition as a stepping stone for the Philippines.
Heavy underdogs in the FIVB joust, there is little to no expectations in terms of placing for the Philippines. That is, Alas Pilipinas will take what they can get in terms of learnings against more experienced teams.
For Buddin, it will all work towards once again stepping on the podium of the Southeast Asian Games in Thailand later this year.
Buds Buddin is a role player within Alas Pilipinas' system under coach Angiolino Frigoni. | Photo: RM Chua / One Sports
“Siguro, [ang wish ko is] step by step lang na makuha namin yung goal ng bawa’t isa and coaches namin para sa bayan, para sa Pilipinas,” he said.
“Syempre [gusto ko rin makakita ng] more improvements pa para sa team, para sa individual, para lahat kami aangat para sa mga next tournament namin [at] sa SEA Games ay kaya natin mag-podium.”
With only a few days remaining before everything unfurls, Alas Pilipinas can only hold their breath in anticipation for the community’s response and support when action begins on Friday.
Alas faces Tunisia on Friday night at the MOA Arena after an electrifying opening ceremony. The festivities will start with Kpop band BOYNEXTDOOR and Cebu performer Karencitta.
Tickets for the games and the opening ceremonies remain available at the official website of the tournament.
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Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.