From fangirl squeals to fanboy selfies, Filipino volleyball stars turned into the biggest fans themselves at the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship in Manila.
Turns out, even the country’s brightest volleyball stars can’t resist being fans. The 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship lit up Manila not just with world-class plays, but also with unforgettable fan moments between local athletes and their international idols.
Choco Mucho Flying Titans setter Deanna Wong set the tone early, posting a series of photos to look back on her experience.
Along with her partner Ivy Lacsina, Wong was all smiles while catching the epic five-setter between Slovenia and Bulgaria at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Bella Belen kept the energy going.
The Alas Pilipinas star joined a One Sports Timeout “Jojowain o Totropahin” challenge with fans, featuring the tournament’s semifinalists, and even shared a quick pose with Bulgarian spiker Simeon Nikolov fresh off their win over Germany.
But perhaps the sweetest crossover was when Alas Pilipinas Women shared the spotlight with none other than Brazilian volleyball icon—and now senator—Leila Barros, who flew in to celebrate the tournament in the Philippines.
Of course, fangirl moments weren’t limited to one star.
Jen Nierva of Chery Tiggo admitted she couldn’t hide her excitement after meeting Japanese heartthrobs Yuki Ishikawa and Ran Takahashi at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“Super happy and overwhelming kasi ganun pala ‘yong pakiramdam na fan ka tapos supportive ka sa player and sa team,” she shared.
The fan zone was just as lively: Noel Kampton of Criss Cross and Joy Dacoron of Petro Gazz mixed in with the Bulgarian squad, proving that even pros love a good photo-op.
On the men’s side, Josh Ybañez melted hearts with a tribute to Team USA’s Erik Shoji, calling him “the most humble of all players,” while Jade Disquitado cracked jokes with Brazil’s Darlan Souza in a lighthearted encounter.
The 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship wasn’t just about serves, blocks, and spikes—it was about connection.
From fangirling to fanboying, Filipino athletes showed that at the end of the day, they’re volleyball fans too.
And in Manila, they got to live the dream alongside the rest of us.
—
Inna Mina is a sportswriter with a passion for telling stories that go beyond the scoreboard.
She covers running, athletics, and other major Philippine sporting events, while also following grassroots sports, athlete journeys, and women in sports. Her work also includes lifestyle stories on health, fitness, and community.