FIVB President Fabio Azevedo hailed the Philippines’ hosting of the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship as “10 out of 10,” praising Filipino fans' passion and the event’s Olympic-level standards.
FIVB President Fabio Azevedo gave glowing praise to the Philippines’ staging of the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship, describing it as a unique experience fueled by Filipino passion and world-class organization.
Azevedo, who took part in a World Championship-themed LRT ride, highlighted how the Filipino crowd elevated the tournament’s atmosphere, making Manila’s hosting stand out on the global stage.
[ALSO READ: Star-studded opening ceremony kicks off 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship in Manila]
“Always the uniqueness is regarding the culture and the public,” Azevedo told reporters.
“Filipinos love our sport. They are so warmly welcoming each and every one of us coming to the country. Each and every one of the athletes and entourage are extremely happy. That’s the uniqueness of the World Championships.”
‘10 out of 10’
When asked to evaluate the Philippines’ performance as host, Azevedo didn’t hesitate.
“Man, 10 out of 10. Those guys, they rock,” he said.
“From the beginning, they prepared every single detail of the World Championships, focused on quality and service toward the athletes. Our athletes are 100 percent satisfied.”
The Mall of Asia Arena saw a jam packed crowd during Alas Pilipinas' five-set battle against Iran. | Photo: RM Chua/One Sports
Azevedo added that the tournament’s execution—from branding and promotion to fan engagement and venue standards—has been at an “Olympic international standard.”
“If you check every single point in terms of promotion, look of the games, branding, activation, co-presentation, fan engagement, venue we are playing is an Olympic international standard,” he said.
“So I would give to the local guys in the community 10 out of 10.”
[ALSO READ: PH fanbase, experience to elevate 2025 Men's World Championship, says FIVB President]
Goosebumps in the knockout stage
With the pool phase officially over, the global joust is now down to just 16 teams, which will later be cut to just eight in the quarterfinals.
Still vying for the coveted title are world no. 1 Poland, along with defending champion Italy, and powerhouses USA and Slovenia.
[ALSO READ: Italy, Poland, USA continue quest for FIVB Worlds supremacy as Round of 16 gets going]
While Azevedo refused to make predictions on which team will claim the trophy, he promised that the knockout rounds will deliver unforgettable moments.
“Zero predictions. I don’t dare predict this World Championships,” he admitted. “But we have very strong powerhouses in the world and great surprises.”
“The only thing I can guarantee is goosebumps everywhere in all of those matches from now on.”
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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.