After their historic run at the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championships, the members of the Alas Pilipinas national men’s volleyball team returned to their respective club teams as the national team season ended.
After losing their opening match against Tunisia in straight sets, 13-25, 17-25, 23-25, Alas Pilipinas shocked everyone when they defeated the African champions Egypt in front of the home crowd, 29-27, 23-25, 25-21, 25-21.
In their last game against Iran, Alas Pilipinas almost won, but the Middle East team proved too much, 25-21, 21-25, 25-17, 23-25, 20-22.
After their exit in the World Championships, Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Ramon “Tats” Suzara, who concurrently serves as the president of the Asian Volleyball Confederation, revealed a seven-year plan for the national team.
“We’re preparing a seven-year development plan with FIVB now, to strengthen more of our men’s volleyball team, including our women’s team. I’m very happy that the Philippine people now love men’s volleyball. Before, it was only women’s, but now they love men’s volleyball with all the exciting trials and hard action,” he said.
As the national team season ends, here is what’s next for the historic roster of the Philippines played in the world stage.
Bryan Bagunas
After leading the team as its captain, Bryan Bagunas will fly to the Land of the Rising Sun once again to join the Osaka Bluteon in the SV. League, the top-level professional volleyball league in Japan.
The Osaka Bluteon will be the second Japanese team where Bagunas will join after playing for the Oita Miyoshi Weisse Adler from 2019 to 2022. After his stint for the Oita Miyoshi Weisse Adler, he joined the Taiwanese club Win Streak.
Josh Ybanez
After the end of the tournament, where Italy successfully defended its title, Josh Ybañez returned to the court as a spiker for the University of Santo Tomas Golden Spikers, currently competing in the V-League.
The Golden Spikers will play a best-of-three semifinal match against the Far Eastern University Tamaraws, starting on October 1.
Vince Lorenzo, Lloyd Josafat, Louie Ramirez, Joshua Retamar
Vince Lorenzo, Lloyd Josafat, Louie Ramirez, and Joshua Retamar gained valuable experience on the world stage that they will bring to Cignal HD Spikers’ title defense in the upcoming 2025 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference.
As of the time of writing, Spikers’ Turf has not announced its next tournament, following the Open Conference held early this year, where the HD Spikers won the championship.
Marck Espejo, Kim Malabunga, Eco Adajar
After sharing the court for the world championships, the trio of Marck Espejo, Kim Malabunga, and Eco Adajar will once again wear the same jersey, this time for the Criss Cross King Crunchers in the Spikers’ Turf.
Jack Kalingking
Backup libero Jack Kalingking is part of the Philippine Navy Sea Lions, competing in the Spikers’ Turf.
Buds Buddin, Jade Disquitado, Peng Taguibolos, Leo Ordiales
After playing in the World Championships, Buds Buddin, Jade Disquitado, Peng Taguibolos, and Leo Ordiales will return to the collegiate league for the title defense of the National University Bulldos in the UAAP.
