Alas Pilipinas’ FIVB Men's World Championship run began with a dream, soared with a historic win, and ended in heartbreak—memories that Bryan Bagunas, Josh Ybañez, and Marck Espejo looked back on.
In one of Philippine volleyball’s most gut-wrenching moments, Alas Pilipinas Men stood on the brink of history — only for a single challenge to rewrite it all.
Libero Josh Ybañez admitted that Iran’s late challenge was too much to overcome during the team’s do-or-die clash at the FIVB Men’s World Championship 2025, a turning point that ultimately sealed their exit.
“Sobrang hirap na bumalik lalo na’t nanggaling ka na [sa feeling] na naramdaman na namin ‘yung panalo. Sobrang hirap na maka-recover [from that point],” Ybañez recalled on One Sports' Starting Line Up.
At 19-18 in the extended fifth set, Kim Malabunga’s emphatic block looked set to deliver the knockout blow, pushing the Filipinos to 20-18 and sending the 14,420-strong crowd into delirium.
But Iran challenged the play and replays showed Malabunga’s hand brushing the net by a hair — an agonizing reversal that flipped the script.
From there, the momentum shifted in favor of Iran as despite a Bryan Bagunas kill that tied things up at 20-apiece, Iran responded with two dagger points to complete a stunning comeback.
[ALSO READ: Kim Malabunga sorry for net touch in Alas’ heartbreaker vs Iran: 'Dapat panalo na 'yon']
“Wala na talaga kaming maisip that time. Umiyak na nga ako tapos biglang nag-challenge ['yung Iran]. Feeling ko isa din ‘yun sa mga factor kung bakit kami nawala sa laro and kung bakit kami natalo,” Ybañez admitted.
[ALSO READ: FIVB | Piazza praises Alas after narrow Iran escape: 'They deserve to be in first 16 teams']
It was a defeat that stung far beyond the court, quickly becoming one of Philippine sport’s biggest what-ifs.
From Underdogs to Believers
Alas Pilipinas Men entered the World Championship as the second-lowest-ranked nation, sharing Pool A with Asian giants Iran and Egypt and Tunisia.
Few believed the Philippines could contend, much less advance and Bagunas himself admitted the team came in with simple goals.
“Nothing to lose. Ginagawa lang namin is nag-enjoy lang talaga kami. Sabi namin, maka-isang set lang na panalo, masaya na kami,” he said.
[ALSO READ: Angiolino Frigoni says Alas has ‘nothing to lose’ in FIVB World Championship experience]
That underdog mindset began to shift after their spirited debut against Tunisia, where the Filipinos, despite losing the first two sets, nearly stole the third salvo before bowing in a straight-set fashion.
[ALSO READ: Frigoni points to set 3 vs Tunisia as a glimpse of Alas Pilipinas' potential after tough FIVB World debut]
It wasn’t a win, but it planted belief.
One Win That Changed Everything
For Marck Espejo, that near-upset lit a fire.
“Against Tunisia sa third set, medyo nakadikit [kami]. After nung game na ‘yon, na-feel namin na may small chance [na baka makaisa kami],” he shared.
That “small chance” became reality when the Philippines shocked African champions Egypt with a 29-27, 23-25, 25-21, 25-21 win — the nation’s first-ever World Championship victory.
Bagunas was unstoppable with 25 points on 23 spikes and two blocks, while Espejo backed him with 13 markers on nine spikes, three blocks, and an ace.
[ALSO READ: Bryan Bagunas thrilled to make history for Alas Pilipinas again: ‘Ito na siguro ang simula’]
“Isang set lang [na panalo] ‘yung gusto namin, pero binigyan kami ng isang game na panalo. Nalagpasan din namin ‘yung expectation namin sa sarili namin. Feeling namin kaya talaga namin,” Espejo said.
[ALSO READ: Marck Espejo hopes historic FIVB Worlds victory can inspire next generation of Alas Pilipinas]
The Pain and the Perspective
All of those led to perhaps the greatest “multo” moment in Philippine volleyball as Alas Men were denied entry to the knockout rounds.
[ALSO READ: Alas Pilipinas and the game that was: Araneta fans weigh in on dramatic PH loss in FIVB MWCH]
Ironically, Iran—the very team that crushed our hopes—is stil standing and is battling for a semifinal spot.
[ALSO READ: Roberto Piazza points to Alas Pilipinas clash as Iran's crucial turning point in FIVB Worlds run]
Despite the crushing blow, Bagunas found solace in the bigger picture.
“For me, hindi ako [nag-dwell] sa natalo kami [against Iran]. Mas tinignan ko ‘yung side the na nakipag-laban kami sa higher-ranked na team,” the 27 year-old said.
He added: “Nakita namin na kaya pala namin lumaban sa ganong klaseng competition na hindi lang pala hanggang dito lang, may ibubuga tayo pagdating sa World Championship.”
[ALSO READ: Bryan Bagunas happy despite Alas' stinging defeat to Iran: 'Kaya naming makipag-compete']
As a bit of a consolation, Alas Men ended up in 19th place alongside Asian powerhouse Japan (23rd), three-time world champion Brazil (17th), and reigning back-to-back Olympic gold medalist France (18th).
[ALSO READ: How Alas head coach Angiolino Frigoni turned patience into historic heights for PH men’s volleyball]
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Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.
Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.