Alas men grind to the hilt in training 9 days ahead of FIVB worlds

BRYAN BAGUNAS and and Marck Espejo continue to grind with the 21-man pool to unlock Alas Pilipinas’s full potential with only nine days before the Philippines opens its historic hosting of the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship.

“I’m excited, but we’re still focused on training so we can bring out the team’s full potential,” said Espejo during the MRT3 Go Live! event on Wednesday to promote the country’s hosting of the 32-nation world championship.

“This is a big tournament, of course, but all of us are ready,” Espejo added. “As a team, we still have a long way to go, but we’ve also come a long way since we started training together, especially during our training camp in Europe.”

Alas Pilipinas went on a two-week training camp in Morocco, Romania and Portugal under the watchful eye of Italian coach Angiolino Frigoni and their mettle will be put to a test against Tunisia in the world championships opening match at 6 p.m. next Friday (September 12) at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

An electrifying opening ceremony featuring the K-pop group BOYNEXTDOOR and Filipino singer, songwriter and actress Karencitta will follow immediately after the match. Tickets are available via the official website https://www.philippineswch2025.com/

Bagunas is is raring to regain his top shape after a year’s layoff because of a knee injury.

“I’m really happy to be back on the court. I wouldn’t say I’m at 100 percent yet, but I’m doing my best to catch up with the team,” Bagunas said.

“We all know how high the level of competition is now, so I’m pushing myself to keep up with them,” added Bagunas also during the MRT3 Go Live! Event that was attended by members of the Alas Pilipinas Men and Women squads.

The Philippines battles Egypt on September 16 and Iran on September 18 for its Pool A assignments.

“We are at the final stages of preparations and we’re happy to say that we’re all set and ready to serve in this hosting,” said Ramon “Tats” Suzara, president of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) and Asian Volleyball Confederation.

Suzara and MRT 3 General Manager Michael Capati led players, Local Organizing Committee and PNVF staff and MRT 3 officials in riding a train fully dressed up for the world championship from North Avenue to Ayala Station, mingling and taking photos and selfies with fans along the way.

Portugal was the first team to arrive in the country just before midnight Tuesday.

Also in attendance on Wednesday were Owa Retamar, Kim Malabunga, Steve Rotter, Louie Ramirez, Buds Buddin, Leo Ordiales, Josh Ybañez, Peng Taguibolos, Lucca Mamone, Vince Lorenzo, Jack Kalingking and Lloyd Josafat as well as Alas women coach Jorge Souza De Brito, Jia De Guzman, Eya Laure, Maddie Madayag and Cla Loresco and PNVF secretary-general Don Caringal. DANNY SIMON

Members of Alas Pilipinas Men and Women along with PNVF president Ramon “Tats” Suzara, secretary-general Don Caringal and board member Yul Benosa and MRT3 General Manager Michael Capati pose before a fully dressed up MRT 3 train at the North Edsa station. PNVF Photo