Angiolino Frigoni urged Alas Pilipinas to build on their late fightback and play with more energy moving forward after a straight-sets loss to Tunisia in their FIVB Men's World Championship debut.
It wasn’t the debut that head coach Angiolino Frigoni had hoped.
Alas Pilipinas opened their 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship campaign with a straight-sets loss to world No. 43 Tunisia, dropping a 13-25, 17-25, 23-25 decision at the Mall of Asia Arena on Friday, September 12.
Frigoni was quick to acknowledge the rough start, but pointed to the final frame as a glimpse of the style he wants the squad to embrace.
"Slowly but surely, we started to play our volleyball," said Frigoni.
"Our quick attacks in the last set was what I would like from this team. They fight for every point, 25-23. Sometimes we win, sometimes we lose, but at least that’s what I want from the team," he added.
The Italian mentor admitted his disappointment with how Alas Men started the match, but emphasized the positives from their late fightback.
"With the last set, I am happy. With the first two, I am disappointed, but that was not really their game. I just didn’t feel good emotions from them [in the first set]."
A message to Filipino fans
Frigoni also spoke directly to the Filipino supporters, who filled the MOA Arena for the World Championship debut.
"I am very happy with the supporters here. Maybe in one side, they gave us support. In the other side, they gave the players tension," he explained.
Fans flocked the MOA Arena to support Alas Pilipinas in their 2025 FIVB Men's World Championship opener. | Photo: RM Chua/One Sports
He noted that the pressure comes not only from the crowd but also from the weight of playing in a global competition. Still, he hopes fans continue to show up for the remaining Pool A matches.
"The tension is also coming more from the fact that this is a bigger competition. Okay, if they can come against [Egypt], against Iran, we’ll be very happy. The team will be very happy,” he added.
[ALSO READ: Angiolino Frigoni wants MOA Arena packed for Alas’ FIVB Worlds debut: 'Don’t let us fight alone']
Frigoni also framed the tournament as a chance for the Philippines to witness the world’s best volleyball.
"By the way, I think that this is a very good opportunity for everybody, not just to support the Philippine national team but to see the high level of volleyball. The World Championship just started,” he said.
“Today, we only have one match. In the future, slowly but surely, you will see the quarterfinals, the semifinals, the Finals, they will have a very big opportunity to see a very high level of volleyball."
Alas Pilipinas will aim to regroup and bring more energy 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.]