Alas’ ‘Bazooka’ locked and loaded for World Championships
In the endgame of a four-set loss to Indonesia during last year’s SEA V-League Leg 1 the country hosted, Bryan Bagunas went for a jump serve and landed awkwardly on the taraflex at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
In an instant, his life changed.
Bagunas suffered a major knee injury and missed the Spikers’ Turf season with the Cignal HD Spikers and the chance to return to Taiwan for the WinStreak club in the Top Volleyball League. He was also unable to compete with Alas Pilipinas for over a year.
Despite the longest layoff of his career, blessings continued to pour in for the 27-year-old Bagunas. His wife, Nicole Tracy, gave birth to their firstborn son. He was named one of the ambassadors for the country’s historic hosting of the FIVB Volleyball World Championship.
And even before he makes his Philippine comeback, the 6-foot-5 outside spiker is set to return to the Japan SV.League with a new club, Osaka Bluteon, where he will team up with Japanese star Yuji Nishida.
Dreading the long road to recovery, yet deeply grateful for the opportunity to play again as the Alas captain, Bagunas returns with a fresh perspective and a burning passion as he leads the Philippine men’s national volleyball team in its historic debut on the grand stage of the 32-nation Men’s World Championship on Friday at Mall of Asia Arena.
“The biggest change is my mindset. During the layoff, I had time to reflect on my career and what I still want to achieve. I learned to appreciate every training, every game, and every chance to represent the country,” Bagunas told the Inquirer.
“I’m feeling really grateful and excited to be back. It was a long recovery process, and it wasn’t just physically [challenging], it was also a mental [test]. But now I feel stronger, more motivated, and ready to give my best for the team again.”
Bagunas, famously nicknamed “Bazooka” for his high-flying, explosive spikes, is ready to make a statement in leading the first-ever Philippine national volleyball team to play in the Worlds when Alas goes up against world No. 43 Tunisia at 7 p.m.
The game will follow a festive opening ceremony featuring fast-rising K-pop group BOYNEXTDOOR and Cebuana singer-songwriter Karencitta, who will perform the official anthem “Electrify.”
“Now, I’m hungrier than ever, and I’ve been focusing on bringing energy and leadership back into the team,” said the former UAAP MVP out of National University.
Bagunas and Marck Espejo have been the longtime faces of men’s volleyball. Besides their overseas stints that introduced the Filipino talent internationally, the dynamic duo of Alas has delivered a historic silver medal in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games and also saw action in the Asian Games in Hangzhou two years ago.
Being part of the world-class action, Bagunas and the Filipino Spikers, under Italian coach Angiolino Frigoni, aim to inspire more dreamers and elevate men’s volleyball—hoping to ignite passion in the next generation of athletes and show that Filipinos belong on the global stage.
“This is one of the biggest stages in volleyball, and representing the Philippines here is a dream come true. For me, it’s not just about playing, it’s about showing the world that Philippine men’s volleyball is growing and can compete at the highest level,” Bagunas said.
11-time champ
Also making history are the 2019 SEA Games silver medalists led by setter Owa Retamar, middle blocker Kim Malabunga and libero Jack Kalingking. Young guns also get their biggest break with UAAP MVP and converted libero Josh Ybañez, Leo Ordiales, Buds Buddin, Peng Taguibolos, Louie Ramirez, Eco Adajar and Jade Disquitado, as well as national team mainstays Lloyd Josafat and Vince Lorenzo.
“I see it as both a challenge and an honor. Of course, there is pressure, but I choose to see it as motivation. This is a historic moment for the Philippines, and to be part of it, especially in my comeback, is something I’ll remember forever,” Bagunas said. “My focus is on helping the team play our best and making our country proud.”
Alas is facing an 11-time African champion, which placed 16th out of the 24-team field in the World Championship 2022, that is parading 6-foot-2 opposite spiker Hamza Nagga and 6-foot-4 outside spiker Elyes Karamosli. The team is also under an Italian coach, Camillo Placi.
The Philippines, currently World No.77, takes on Egypt on Sept. 16 and Iran on Sept. 18 in Pool A.
