Alas Pilipinas men’s national team opened their 2025 SEA Games campaign with a straight-set win against Myanmar, 25-23, 25-20, 25-21, at the Indoor Stadium Huamark in Bangkok, Thailand, on Saturday, December 13.

Although the match was neck-and-neck throughout, the composure and experience of Alas Pilipinas proved the difference in their opening victory, as they sought to secure another podium finish.

“[It’s] just we have to defend more, and the weight of the block, and the timing about the block, they made many blocks outs,” said Alas Pilipinas head coach Angiolino Frigoni. “We have to change up, especially in break point. We didn’t serve good, we didn’t [block] some players. They are not in very good condition yet. I hope we will get them in condition for the next match.”

Alas Pilipinas team captain Bryan Bagunas led in scoring with 18 points on 16 attacks, a block, and an ace, while Leo Ordiales and Marck Espejo had 10 points apiece. Middle blockers Peng Taguibolos and Kim Malabunga combined for 13 points.

For Myanmar, Wai Ya Htike scored 13 points, while Zaw Chan Nyein added 10 points. Kyaw Aung Myo, Oo Myo Min, and Tun Zaw Lwin combined for 18 points.

Bagunas Opens Up About Playing Under Pressure

Although team captain Bryan Bagunas led the team with 18 points, he admitted after the match that the team was playing under pressure in their opening match.

“I think siguro ‘yun nga, nanibago siguro sa isa’t isa. Ayun, medyo may pressure ‘yung team. Sabi naman namin, wala naman kaming kailangang anuhin dito, nothing to lose pa rin naman,” he said. “Alam naman namin may mailalabas kaming magandang laro, ayun medyo pangit lang ‘yung first two sets namin, medyo shaky nga pero nakita ko naman nung third set, lalo na si Leo Ordiales, talagang bumawi.”

“Sa tingin ko naman medyo nailabas ngayon ‘yung kaba. I hope na sa susunod na game is mas steady and mas okay ‘yung laro ng team. Ayun, sabi namin relax lang kasi ganito talaga, may pressure sa’tin. Pero pakita niyo lang anong meron kayo, lalabas din ‘yung laro kung anong meron kayo.”

Despite the victory, Bagunas knew that the road towards their dream of a podium finish remains long and hard, especially as they face powerhouse Indonesia in their next game.

“Ayun, para sa akin naman siyempre hindi naman natatapos ‘yung tournament na ‘to sa isang panalo lang. Sinasabi naman namin sa isa’t isa na hanggang dulo, talagang kailangan mailabas natin ‘yung 100% natin para sa goal na gusto natin maabot,” he stressed.

“Alam naman natin ‘yung Indonesia is talagang solid team nila dito sa Southeast Asia. But ayun, pinaghandaan naman namin ‘to, kailangan lumaban kami every game.”

Alas Pilipinas will face Indonesia on Tuesday, December 16, at 1:30 p.m. (Manila time).

Al-Bukharie Sali Answers the Call

In his debut game at the SEA Games, University of Santo Tomas Golden Spiker Al-Bukharie Sali provided quality minutes to the team to provide the struggling Leo Ordiales a breather at the bench.

In the first set, Alas Pilipinas head coach Angiolino Frigoni subbed Sali in to replace Ordiales. With Sali on the court, the Philippine men’s national volleyball team managed to secure a straight-set victory.

“Sobrang saya. Ayun nga, first time ko rin makalaro diyan, e. Sobrang parang, alam mo ‘yun, ‘yung pangarap ko, unti-unti nakukuha,” said the Tawi-Tawi native. “Mindset ko kasi nun, gagawin ko lahat ng maitutulong ko sa team, e. Ibibigay ko kung ano ‘yung pwede kong matulong sa team.”

“Ano lang, ginawa ko lang ‘yung pwede kong itulong sa team tapos ‘yun, inenjoy ko rin. Pero nape-pressure rin ako kasi pa-end game na ‘yun, e, [pero] ginawa ko lang ‘yung trabaho ko.”

When he was younger, Sali revealed that he used to watch now-teammates Bryan Bagunas and Marck Espejo in the 2019 SEA Games in Manila, which made history as they clinched the country’s first-ever silver medal.

“Sobrang ano ko rin ‘yun, kasi dati pinapanood ko lang sila nung 2019 SEA Games against Indonesia. Parang sobrang na-starstruck ako,” he said. “Sobrang excited po kasi parang si Rivan [Nurmulki], idol ko rin ‘yun, e. Siya ‘yung pinapanood ko sa Youtube kung paano ‘yung playstyle niya, parang ginagaya ko rin. Isa rin siya sa mga ginagaya ko,” he admitted as they set to face Indonesia on Tuesday, December 16.

“Andun pa rin ‘yung kaba, pero lalaban pa rin ako. Gagawin ko pa rin kung ano ‘yung matutulong ko sa team.”