DREAM GOES ON
To get to the threshold of perhaps one of the biggest victories in Philippine sports, Alas Pilipinas needed grit, determination and an incredible show of fighting heart.
To shove the Filipinos off that edge, all Iran needed was a challenge.
In what could be one of the most painful point-reversal in the country’s volleyball history, Alas Pilipinas went from celebrating a breakthrough and improbable appearance in the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship round-of-16 to watching the Iranians celebrate a win that they were initially denied.
“[It’s a pity] that we lose [this way] because we were in a dream,” said national coach Angiolino Frigoni. “And they woke up just one point before the dream was finished. But that’s the life, that’s the life of the sport.”
And for the days to come, it won’t be the final point of Iran’s 21-25, 25-21, 17-25, 25-23, 22-20 victory over the Philippines that will be widely discussed.
It will be the one Kim Malabunga would have scored off a block against Iran’s Ali Haghparast, the one that could have ended a game, had a desperate challenge not caught the Philippine wall on a net fault.
Before the challenge was ruled successful, Alas players were already in celebration, some tearfully, over a result no one—not even the staunchest volleyball supporter—could have seen coming.
It was from that point of never-experienced high that the Filipinos were pulled from, and something in them was visibly sapped in the ensuing points.
“We thought we had it,” an emotional Marck Espejo said after the game. “But I’m proud of this team and how far we were able to get.”
“I think that we play with skills, with power, with heart, with mind. I am happy for it. Just how they finish. I should prefer to finish this match losing a match 15-10 or 15-8 or 15-7. This way is very, very painful. But I am very proud of [the team],” Frigoni said.
Iran took charge after that successful challenge, getting to match point for the first time after fighting off six of the Filipinos and then finally sealing the victory on its second match point.
Haghparast and Yousef Poshtpari put on the finishing touches that broke the hearts of Alas Pilipinas and its ecstatic home crowd—the game had the best gate receipts so far in the tournament—at Mall of Asia Arena.
“We showed that we can play good volleyball. Thank you for all the fans that came here because they support us very much,” Frigoni said.
Iran finished group play with a 2-1 (win-loss) card to advance as the lone Asian squad left in the tournament. Host Philippines bowed out with a 1-2 slate, while fan favorite Japan failed to qualify after also winning just once in Pool G. South Korea, Qatar and China also missed the cut.
Bryan Bagunas led Alas with 22 points. Leo Ordiales added 21, while Espejo added 15.
“I’m still happy because we showed that the team could compete in the World Championship,” said Bagunas, of the squad that wasn’t supposed to win even a single set in the tournament.
Alas Pilipinas wound up winning one match and fell just a net fault short of entering the knockout rounds.
“We felt the support of the Filipinos and that boosted our morale. Our coaches taught us well and all that helped us give a good showing,” Bagunas added.
That solid show proved a point for men’s volleyball; the program deserves continued support as it fights for its share of the spotlight in a country more enamored with the women’s side of the sport. And Bagunas believes that an equal show of support for the men’s program can do wonders for Alas Pilipinas’ future.
“We showed what men’s volleyball can do,” Bagunas said. “With enough support, this could just be the beginning for men’s volleyball.”
