Alas Pilipinas etched their name into history books on Tuesday after they tallied their first-ever win at the FIVB Men's World Championship. The question next for the Filipinos—what now?
Alas Pilipinas are riding on a high after their maiden FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship win against African champions Egypt
—a stunning four-setter at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Tuesday night. But it remains to be seen if the team can sustain its current success.
Italian head coach Angiolino Frigoni himself said that the team must seek consistency after the dream result, and not settle for being one-time history makers.
[READ: Frigoni savors historic FIVB win but keeps Alas Pilipinas grounded: 'We have to get stable on this level’]
With only six Asian countries qualified for this tournament, Alas has select blueprints to follow to be able to compete consistently at the level that is needed to qualify for the World Championship — and not just secure their berth due to hosting.
Over at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, One Sports reached out to Japan volleyball fans to ask them what lessons Alas can take from the likes of Ryujin Nippon (now World No. 7) to hopefully keep themselves going at a high level.
Line of succession
As an observer of Philippine volleyball at all levels, self-proclaimed Japan fan Edward Villona put premium on planning ahead for the national team program.
Rather than just focusing on the now, he believes that the key lies in making sure that the next generation is intact.
NU spiker Leo Ordiales is among the young stars of Alas Pilipinas. | Photo: RM Chua / One Sports
“Moving forward, [kailangan maging maayos] 'yung succession planning natin,” Villona told One Sports.
“As a Philippine team, [kailangan] magkaron ng planning. Kasi really, maraming talent sa Pilipinas na magagaling mag-volleyball,” he added.
Ida Torres echoed this sentiment, and quipped that Japan had worked on this themselves and stayed patient before turning into a certified volleyball superpower in recent years. With Alas making its first-ever appearance at the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship, Filipinos can take a page from their book.
“The past few years lang din sila naging superpower,” she said, speaking of Japan.
“But 'yun nga, it starts with succession. So they really had a plan, they really had a training from their youth teams and all. So I think kailangan yan… Magkaroon ng system para makalaban tayo. From Southeast Asia and then eventually Asia.”
Planting the (grass)roots
To have the parts needed for a good line of succession, Philippine volleyball must first start at the beginning.
For Jenny Villona, who also follows volleyball like her husband Edward, it will all boil down to helping those who are just starting out in the sport.
No matter what program for the national team, she believes that it is the key to long-term success in whatever level of sport.
Alas Pilipinas basked in glory after winning their first-ever match at the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship. | Photo: RM Chua / One Sports
[RELATED: Alas Pilipinas rise 11 spots in FIVB world rankings after stunning upset of Egypt]
“I think for all Philippine sports, grassroots talaga kasi yung kailangan natin. Wag na tayong lumayo, Thailand, Japan, and other Asian [teams], nag-start na sila ng grassroots. So I guess, aside from the succession plan, dapat marami tayo[ng players] na may Team A, may Team B,” she said.
“Start natin sa youth… si Marck Espejo, Bryan Bagunas, tumatanda na rin sila. So kailangan may bagong players. Nandiyan naman sila [Jade] Disquitado, pero kailangan pa rin natin ng grassroots din. Kasi marami tayong players na magagaling. Kailangan lang ng system.”
—
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.