Drazen Luburic and Serbia shook off early struggles with travel and time zone adjustment in Manila to topple China and keep their 2025 FIVB Men's World Championship hopes alive.
When Serbia needed a response, Dražen Luburic delivered.
The veteran opposite powered his squad past China, 25-18, 25-19, 29-27, on Tuesday night at the Mall of Asia Arena to keep their hopes alive in the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship.
Luburic finished with 17 points on 15 kills, one block, and one ace, steadying Serbia after its stunning upset loss to Czechia just two days earlier.
“It was our last chance basically to get our first win and to be in the spot, to even get a chance to go out of the group,” said Luburic. “We still have a lot of work to do against Brazil, and we will look for our chances against them since it's our last game, and of course, it depends on a lot of things.”
Manila adjustment
More than the victory itself, Luburic was glad to see the world No. 13 Serbians prove that they had finally found their footing in Manila.
The European side was one of the last teams to land in the Philippines, and the quick turnaround from travel to competition took its toll. The six-hour time zone shift, lack of proper rest, and the grind of long-haul flights left Serbia sluggish in its tournament opener.
“I guess it was just tough. We couldn't get enough sleep, enough rest these days before Czechia, and I think it all affected our performance that day,” he admitted.
By the time they faced China, however, the Serbians looked sharper and more synchronized. A few extra days in Manila made the difference, with their rhythm returning and their confidence restored.
Fighting for survival
Still, Luburic knows the job is far from finished.
Drazen Luburic serves the ball during Serbia's sweep of China in the 2025 FIVB Men's World Championship. | Photo: RM Chua/One Sports
Brazil, ranked as the world No. 2, looms as Serbia’s toughest test yet. But for a team that weathered early struggles and is now settling in, the belief is that its best volleyball is still ahead.
Luburic pointed to Serbia’s long summer of preparation, saying the team always trusted that results would come once they adjusted.
“Well, we were just basically waiting for this moment to happen,” said the 31-year-old spiker. “We also know our qualities and how much effort we put in this summer, so we were just waiting for the results to come out.”
The Serbia-Brazil matchup will kick off the Thursday games at the MOA Arena, starting at 10 a.m.
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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.