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Alas Pilipinas Men take on Tunisia in FIVB Men’s World Championship opener
Alas Pilipinas Men will face Tunisia in the opening match of the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship on Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Philippine men’s national volleyball team will feature a mix of veterans and rising stars, with Bryan Bagunas and Marck Espejo leading the 14-man squad.
READ MORE | Alas Pilipinas lineup for the FIVB Men's Championship
Ranked No. 82 in the world, Alas recently completed training camps in Portugal and Romania as part of their preparations for the Philippines’ debut in the prestigious tournament.
Philippine head coach Angiolino Frigoni expressed confidence following their final tune-up match in Romania, but acknowledged the emotional weight of the historic moment.
“Filipinos have never been in the World Championship in their volleyball life. There will be emotion, I don’t know,” said Frigoni. “I hope that we will react well anyway.”
READ MORE | Frigoni keeps expectations in check, says Alas has ‘nothing to lose’ at FIVB Worlds
Tunisia, ranked No. 43, will bring valuable championship experience. They won three of their 11 African titles in 2017, 2019, and 2021, before being dethroned in the 2023 edition of the African Volleyball Championship.
The Philippines will need to watch out for key Tunisian players, including opposite hitter Hamza Nagga, setter Khaled Ben Slimene, outside hitter Ilyès Karamosli, and middle blockers Ahmed Kadhi and Selim Mbareki, all of whom competed in the Tokyo Olympics.
Alas Pilipinas and Tunisia will open the tournament at 7:00 p.m.
Prior to that, BOYNEXTDOOR from South Korea will headline the opening ceremony at 4:30 p.m., which will be led by Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Ramon “Tats” Suzara and FIVB president Fabio Azevedo.
A total of 32 teams will compete in the eight-pool tournament. In addition to the Mall of Asia Arena, the Smart Araneta Coliseum will host preliminary round matches featuring teams such as Japan and Poland.
READ MORE | 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship: What You Need to Know
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
