Alas Pilipinas will look to pull off another historic upset as they go toe-to-toe with Asian powerhouse Iran for a Round of 16 ticket in the 2025 FIVB Men's World Championship.
Alas Pilipinas Men face their biggest test yet when they battle world no. 16 Iran in the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship on Thursday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Fresh from a stunning victory over nine-time African champion Egypt, the Filipinos forced a four-way tie in Pool A at 1-1, creating what has been dubbed the tournament’s new “group of death.”
The goal is simple for Alas Pilipinas: Win and they march into the knockout stage for the first time in history.
[ALSO READ: POOL A SCENARIOS: Alas Pilipinas get shot at historic Round of 16 berth in FIVB Worlds]
The path, however, runs through Iran — a perennial Asian powerhouse and reigning three-time Asian Games champion.
Still, the Iranians arrive without two of their biggest stars, namely opposite Amin Esmaeilnezhad, widely regarded as Asia’s best at his position, and veteran setter Javad Karimi.
In their absence, Iran has leaned on Poriya Hossein Khanzadeh and Ali Hajipour, who sit ninth and 11th in group stage scoring, respectively.
[ALSO READ: Iran’s Roberto Piazza ‘sorry’ to Alas Pilipinas ahead of do-or-die clash in FIVB Worlds]
For the hosts, confidence is at an all-time high after captain Bryan Bagunas, Marck Espejo, and Leo Ordiales combined for 59 points in their upset of Egypt.
With home-court energy behind them, the Filipinos look to carry that same firepower into a do-or-die showdown that could etch a new chapter in Philippine volleyball history.
First serve is set for 5:30 p.m.
(With reports from Kiko Demigillo)
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[Editor’s note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital with the help of AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]