In a heartbreaking turn, Alas Pilipinas bowed out of the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship 2025 after a narrow defeat to World No. 16 Iran at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on September 18, ending their debut on the world stage.
After failing to protect a one-set lead in the fourth set, Alas Pilipinas succumbed to multiple match points, with Iran ultimately prevailing by taking the second, fourth, and fifth sets, 25 – 21, 21 – 25, 25 – 17, 23 – 25, 20 – 22. The loss eliminated the Filipino squad from contention for the knockout rounds.
In the fifth set at 19 – 18, Alas Pilipinas’ middle blocker Kim Malabunga seemingly stopped Iran’s Ali Haghparast with a crucial block, sending the crowd into cheers and appearing to seal the 20 – 19 win. The team celebrated the play, only for Iran to challenge it for a net violation. The call was overturned, awarding the point to Iran and tying the score at 19-all.
Replays from a camera along the net confirmed that Malabunga had grazed the bottom of the net milliseconds before the ball hit the floor.
The set continued with edge-of-the-seat intensity. Kazemi Yousef gave Iran a brief lead, but team captain Bryan Bagunas quickly reclaimed a match point, tying the score at 20 – 20. However, Haghparast and Yousef delivered two consecutive points, closing the set at 22 – 20 and silencing the 14,420-strong crowd at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Despite the exit, the team continues to hold their head up high.
“Siyempre, sobrang masakit po para sa ‘min kasi nandun na po kami. Pero masaya pa din po ‘ko, kasi naipakita ng team namin na kaya naming makipag-compete sa ganitong klaseng level ng tournament,” Bagunas said.
Coach Angiolino Frigoni echoed the pride, praising the team for “showing the excellence that Filipinos can show in volleyball.”
“I am pity in a way that we lost because we were in a dream. And they woke up just one point before the dream was finished. But that’s the life of the sport,” he stated.
Frigoni also commended the team for their passion and resilience against world-class opponents.
“I think that we play with skills, with power, with heart, with mind. I am happy for it; this way is very, very painful. But I am very proud of them,” Frigoni added.
To recall, Alas Pilipinas made history in their tournament debut, highlighted by a four-set victory over Egypt on September 16, earning recognition as the underdogs of international volleyball.
