Bryan Bagunas stressed that Alas Pilipinas Men must bring full effort to their Group B matchups as they chase a long-awaited Southeast Asian Games podium return.
Bryan Bagunas made it clear that Alas Pilipinas Men cannot afford to ease into their SEA Games 2025 campaign.
The men’s national team will be pitted in a challenging Group B alongside Myanmar and regional powerhouse Indonesia.
Drawing from the team’s recent experience at the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship in Manila, Bagunas stressed that the margin for error in Southeast Asian play is slim and demands full effort from the opening serve.
“Sa tingin ko dito pa lang sa pool namin kailangan na naming ibigay 'yung best namin. Kailangan di kami pa-easy-easy lang. Ang Indonesia pagdating sa Southeast Asia talagang sila ang nangingibabaw sa volleyball e. Never pa ata kami nanalo sa Indonsia,” Bagunas said.
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Despite Indonesia’s dominance in the region, the Alas captain believes the Philippines has a fighting chance, provided the team stays locked in and disciplined.
“Sa tingin ko naman sa ipinapakita ng team, sa nakikita ko sa training mayroon namang chance. 'Yun nga kailangan pa ring pagtrabahuhan. Every point dapat nandoon ang effort.”
All eyes on a podium finish
Beyond the tactical challenge, Bagunas also pointed to the team’s growing hunger to return to the SEA Games podium — something the Philippines last achieved in 2019.
“Sobrang gigil kaming makapasok sa podium finish kasi matagal na namin itong ginusto, nakuha namin noong 2019 then nawala. Siguro it’s the time naman para bumalik ulit sa podium finish.”
Alas Pilipinas Men during the opening ceremonies of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games. | Photo: RM Chua/One Sports
The 28-year-old spiker added that the program’s preparation and the support poured into the men’s team have only increased their motivation to deliver.
“Ang Team Alas is maganda ang preparasyon. Talagang ibinuhos yung suporta para sa amin. It’s time to give back dun sa suporta. Na maganda at maayos na performance ang maibigay namin para sa mga sumusuporta sa amin.”
Alas Pilipinas Men will open their SEA Games 2025 run against Myanmar on Saturday, December 13, at the Indoor Stadium Huamark in Bangkok, before facing Indonesia later in pool play.
(With reports from POC Media Pool)
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Kiko Demigillo’s journey in sports storytelling began with a deep passion for games and athletes, which eventually grew into a full-fledged career.
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