Owa Retamar and Josh Ybañez share their takeaways from Alas Pilipinas’ debut loss to Tunisia, vowing a stronger showing in their next Pool A match in the 2025 FIVB Men's World Championship.
Alas Pilipinas took home valuable lessons from their defeat to world No. 43 Tunisia in the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship opener at the Mall of Asia Arena on Friday, September 12.
Crowd favorite and converted libero Josh Ybañez admitted nerves got the best of him early, but he found ways to loosen up as the match went on.
“Parang feeling ko stiff na stiff ako, but as the game goes on, parang nag-loosen up lang ako. Just trying to celebrate and enjoy every point para ma-release ko yung tension na nasa loob [ko],” said the UST standout, who tallied eight excellent receptions and six digs.
Ybañez added that the key for the Philippines moving forward is to start strong against top-tier competition.
"I think it's the intensity. Kasi at first, laging slow start. Mas maganda sana kung nasa una pa lang, mataas na yung energy at intensity ng bawat isa,” he explained.
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Setter Owa Retamar echoed the same sentiment, admitting that intimidation factored heavily in the opening frame.
“Sobrang [intimidating], kasi first time namin sa ganito tapos nahihirapan pa kami mag-score dahil malalaki sila,” said Retamar.
Still a memorable debut
Still, the NU product described the surreal feeling of finally representing the country on home soil at this level of a tournament.
“Pagpasok ko bigla akong kinilabutan talaga. Tapos medyo naluluha ako kasi first time nga nangyari sa Pilipinas to. Tapos kasama pa ko sa naglaro. Siguro yun, kasama din yun sa pressure kasi tayo yung host.”
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Despite the setback, Retamar pointed to the team’s steady growth from last year to now.
“First time namin maglaro sa ganito pero at least, nakikita namin yung lapses namin and pagkukulang namin sa crucial moment. Compared to last year, mas malalaki na yung nakakalaban namin and mas may experience na kami ngayon.”
With lessons in tow, both Ybañez and Retamar vowed that Alas Pilipinas will bring more energy and confidence when they face world No. 23 Egypt in their next Pool A outing.
(With reports from Kiko Demigillo)
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[Editor's note: This article was written by a member of One Sports Digital with the help of AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]