Italy head coach Ferdinando De Giorgi shares a lengthy history with Alas Pilipinas mentor Angiolino Frigoni since the early days of their respective careers.
Italy head coach Ferdinando De Giorgi and Alas Pilipinas tactician Angiolino Frigoni have shared much of their past in volleyball both at the club and international level.
As they both find themselves on different sides at the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship in Manila, De Giorgi looked back fondly on how it all started when they were player and coach with the then Gabeca Pallavolo.
“Angiolino was my coach when I was a player. Yes, in Mothechiari,” said De Giorgi, speaking of Italian club Acqua Paradiso Monza Brianza (known as Acqua Paradiso Gabeca Montichiari until 2009).
“He’s a very very good coach, and friend.”
[RELATED: Frigoni points to set 3 vs Tunisia as a glimpse of Alas Pilipinas' potential after tough FIVB World debut]
But more than their humble beginnings, De Giorgi and Frigoni’s relationship enjoyed success at the highest level as well, winning the World Championship with Italy in 1994 — with De Giorgi playing and Frigoni as an assistant coach.
Being together for so long, De Giorgi associates a lot of happy memories with the current Alas coach.
“[We were together] in Montechiaro, it was in Superlega, especially in the national team, because we stay together many, many years,” he said.
“[Those are] very important years. We won the world championship in 1994, and [we were] European champions, [I have] big memory, good memory [with him],” he added.
‘Only good luck’
Despite their rich history, De Giorgi had little to say in terms of pushing his friend forward — not that he didn’t want to.
Rather, the Italian tactician believes that he has nothing to offer that Frigoni will find new to him. That is, his former coach already has all the tools he needs in his coaching arsenal to succeed even without De Giorgi's insight.
“Advice? No! Angiolino? [He has] big experience. No need for advice. No need for advice, only good luck,” quipped the expressive Italian.
With Alas Pilipinas, Frigoni will need luck — and skill — as his players vie for an upset win in Pool A of the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship when they face off against Egypt on Tuesday, September 16.
The crucial is matchup is set for 5:30 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Alas Pilipinas debuted against Tunisia for their first-ever stint in the World Championship. The host team fell in three sets.
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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.