Alas Pilipinas finished their historic run in the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championships at 17th place after faltering against Iran in five gruelling sets, 25-21, 21-25, 25-17, 23-25, 20-22, on Thursday, September 18, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
In the fifth set, Alas Pilipinas and everyone in the venue thought that they had already won the match, 20-18. Unfortunately, Iran’s crucial net touch challenge against Kim Malabunga was successful, cutting the early celebration and forcing the game to another tie, 19-all.
In the next play, Iran’s Yousef Kazemi solo blocked Kim Malabunga’s quick attack that put them ahead, 20-19. Alas Pilipinas team captain Bryan Bagunas got one back from the back row as he tied the match once again, 20-apiece.
Iran’s Ali Haghparast then went off the block to put his team on match point, 21-20, before Haghparast and Ali Hajipour collaborated on a successful block against Marck Espejo and won the game, 22-20.
Despite their heartbreaking loss, Alas Pilipinas head coach Angiolino Frigoni held his head up high. He said after the game, “I am very proud. We improved a lot; we showed that we can play good volleyball. Thank you to all the fans who came here because they supported us very much.”
“I’m [pitiful] in a way because we lost while we were in a dream. And then they woke up just one point before the dream was finished. But that’s life; that’s the life of the sport. Still, I believe that we played with skills, with power, with heart, with the mind at every point – but not with how they finished,” he admitted.
“I would have preferred losing this match 15-10 or 15-8, but to lose this way, it’s very, very painful. I’m still very proud of them.”
Bagunas led the team once again with 22 points in 18 attacks, three blocks, and an ace, while Leo Ordiales contributed 21 points in 19 attacks.
After the game, Bagunas admitted that the game was bittersweet for him, but he still looked forward to the future of the team. He said, “Mas masakit po talaga sa’min kasi ando’n na po kami, pero masaya pa rin po ako kasi naipakita po ng team namin na kaya naming makipag-compete.”
“Andito po kasi tayo sa Pilipinas, so, na-feel po namin talaga ‘yung support ng Filipino volleyball fans. I think, naging malaking tulong po ‘yun para ma-boost po ‘yung morale namin. Thankful din po kami sa mga coaches kasi kaya rin po siguro naging maganda ‘yung resulta ng tournament.”
Long-time national team member Marck Espejo manned the backrow and added 15 points in 12 attacks and three blocks, while Kim Malabunga had 10 points in six attacks, two blocks, and two aces.
Despite the loss, Espejo is still proud of the team that made history in their first-ever World Championships appearance. He said, “Proud po talaga ako sa team na ‘to, sa ating inabot, kasi wala naman pong nag-e-expect na aabot sa ganito pa tayo. Maka-isang set nga lang parang history na sa team, pero nanalo pa ng isang game, at lumaban pa sa Iran na top team at na-force ‘yung five sets.”
“Sinabi ko sa team na nothing to be ashamed of talaga kasi ginawa lang talaga namin ‘yung best namin. Happy ako and proud ako sa team na ‘to.”
At the end, Malabunga shouldered the blame for their loss. He ended, “Hindi ko ma-explain kasi sobrang nada-down ako, e. Akin ‘yun, e. Dapat panalo na ‘yun kaso na out of balance pa ako. Sorry, sa’kin.”
For the side of Iran, Poriya Hossein Khanzadeh and Hajipour each scored 22 points.
