History is within reach for Alas Pilipinas as they battle perennial Asian powerhouse Iran in a win-or-go-home clash at the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship on Thursday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Coming off a thrilling four-set win over world no. 21 Egypt, the Philippines now finds itself in a position to advance to the Round of 16 for the first time ever — a dream few thought possible for the world no. 77 squad.
But standing in the way is world perennial Asian powerhouse Iran, which bounced back strong after an opening-day loss to Egypt and recently handled Tunisia in four sets.
With both teams holding 1-1 records, a victory guarantees passage to the Round of 16, while a loss will spell the end of the road.
[ALSO READ: POOL A SCENARIOS: Alas Pilipinas get shot at historic Round of 16 berth in FIVB Worlds]
Bryan Bagunas, Marck Espejo, and Leo Ordiales are once again expected to lead the charge for the host nation.
At the same time, Iran will rely on their size, experience, and depth, powered by Poriya Hossein Khanzadeh and Ali Hajipour.
Will it be another magical night for the Filipinos, or will Iran reassert its place among the continent’s elite?
Refresh this page for live updates of the match.
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SET 5
FINAL: Iran completes a dramatic come-from-behind win over Alas Pilipinas in five sets, 21-25, 25-21, 17-25, 25-23, 22-20
- Tied at 20
- Alas Pilipinas winning point is called off. Tied at 19
- Bagunas power hit. Match point Alas, 18-17
- Tied at 17
- Ordiales off the block. Match point Alas, 16-15
- Retamar 1-2 play. Match point Alas, 14-13
- Service error Iran, then Bagunas wins the joust. Alas takes over, 12-11
- Poriya ends the Alas rally with a cross. 11-10 Iran
- Back-to-back blocks for Alas, this time from Bagunas. Tied at 10
- Odiales gets the crucial block. Alas within one, 9-10
- Bagunas from the left. Alas down two, 8-10
- Espejo pulls one back for Alas. Iran leads, 9-6
- Blocking coming through for Iran. Alas is down, 4-8
- Ordiales is rejected this time. 6-4 Iran
- Ordiales with the huge hit again. Tied at 4
- Malabunga fast kill from the middle. Tied at 3
- Back-to-back kills for Ordiales to get Alas on the board. Tied at 2
- Alas opens the deciding set with a service error
SET 4
END OF SET 4: Iran holds strong late to force a set 5 against Alas Pilipinas, 25-23
- Bagunas with the big hit to keep Alas in it. 22-21 Iran
- Ordiales gets the line for a crucial score. Alas down one, 19-20
- Hajipour off the Alas block. 19-17 Iran
- Poriya fires an ace to make it 17-15 Iran
- When in doubt, go to Bagunas. Tied at 14
- Bagunas takes one back for Alas. Iran leads, 14-13
- Ordiales rejected. Iran with another crucial series of points. Alas down two, 11-13
- Point stands for Alas as Retamar makes a perfect pancake save. 11-10 for the Philippines
- Ordiales side out to make it 10-9 Alas
- Bagunas drills his first ace of the game. Alas down one, 7-8
- Alas calls for time as Iran takes control, 7-5
- Bagunas elevates for the kill to reach double figures. Tied at 4
- Iran settles down and racks up three straight. Alas now down, 3-4
- Taguibolos with the attack, and then scores an ace. 3-1 Alas
- Taguibolos block to get things going in the fourth set for Alas
SET 3
END OF SET 3: Alas Pilipinas take a crucial 2-1 lead over Iran in this do-or-die game, 25-17
- Malabunga cashes in on Iran's missed receive. 22-14 Alas
- Both teams trade service errors. 20-14 Alas
- Retamar to Taguibolos for a huge quick hit. 19-12 Alas
- Retamar solo block. Alas pulling away now, 18-11
- Block review favors Alas. Philippines now up 17-11
- Malabunga ace off the float serve. 16-11 Alas
- Espejo off the block to make it 15-11 Alas
- No touch ace from Ordiales off the Iran timeout. 13-9 Alas
- Bagunas improvises to score again. He is heating up and is Alas. 12-9 Philippines
- Bagunas connects on the second try. 10-9 Alas
- Bagunas with a sharp cut shot off the broken play. 9-8 Alas
- Espejo perfect timing on the monster block. Alas regains the lead, 7-6
- Ordiales with a clean hit. Tied at 6
- Taguibolos spikes the free gift to make it 5-3 Alas
- Bagunas again, slowly starting to pick up steam. 3-2 Alas
- Bagunas off the block. 2-1 Alas
SET 2
END OF SET 2: Iran with the response to tie things up against Alas Pilipinas, 25-21
- Miscommunication for Iran as two attackers go up for a spike. Alas still down, 20-22
- Ordiales cuts the deficit to one with a huge hit. 19-18 Iran
- Big block for Alas to stay within striking distance. Iran lead is two, 19-17
- Hajipour first player in double figures. 18-14 Iran
- Iran putting distance again. Middle hit makes it 16-12
- Bagunas over three blockers. Alas down one, 10-11
- Bagunas with only his second attack of the game. Alas down, 8-10
- Espejo gets one back but Iran quick to respond. Alas trails, 5-9
- Errors hound Alas as Iran doubles up in the second set, 8-4
END OF SET 1: Alas Pilipinas strike first against Iran, 25-21