Luciano Palonsky relished Argentina's return to Manila, crediting the passionate Filipino fans for fueling their gritty five-set comeback over Finland to start the 2025 FIVB Men's World Championship.
Luciano Palonsky marked Argentina’s return to Manila with a thrilling comeback win over Finland, 19-25, 18-25, 25-22, 25-22, 15-11, in the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, September 14.
The 26-year-old outside hitter, who has become a crowd favorite in Manila since the 2022 VNL Manila Leg, put up 19 points on 18 kills and one service ace, pushing Argentina ahead in Pool C.
But beyond the numbers, Palonsky was quick to highlight how special it felt to be back in the Philippines, where the volleyball culture and Filipino hospitality make every visit memorable.
“Everyone here is very nice, and everyone treats us very well. We’re always happy to come to the Philippines,” Palonsky told One Sports. “Last time we left with a lot of new fans, and now we’re happy to see them again.”
A warm welcome
For the world no. 8 squad, the Filipino crowd has been a constant source of energy, whether in Manila or beyond.
Palonsky recalled how even during tournaments abroad, Filipino supporters would show up and cheer for them.
“Even in other countries, when we played in Canada, there's a lot of Filipino fans that are living there and they come to see our games,” said Palonsky.
That unwavering support made Argentina’s return to Manila feel like a homecoming, and Palonsky admitted it gave them an extra push in their grind-it-out debut victory.
A gritty win to start strong
The win, however, wasn’t easy, as the South Americans had to dig deep after losing the first two sets.
But once they settled into their rhythm, their composure and experience carried them through to victory of the first 5-setter of the tournament.
Luciano Palonsky spikes the ball past Finland blockers in the 2025 FIVB Men's World Championship. | Photo: Volleyball World
“I think we had the pressure; they didn't have, so things were going well for them, but we managed to pick up the things that we weren't doing and started playing our game, that's why we won,” he shared.
With momentum on their side, along with the support of the Filipino fans, Palonsky and the rest of the Argentians will look to get back onto the world championship podium for the first time in 43 years.
Up next for Argentina will be Olympic champions France on Tuesday, September 16.
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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.
Now a dedicated sportswriter, Kiko covers a wide range of beats for One Sports, including the PVL, UAAP, PBA, and various international tournaments.