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| Alas Pilipinas bowed out of its MWCH home stand heartbreakingly. Jade Moya |
PASAY--In front of an electrified home crowd at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, the Philippines’ men’s national volleyball team, Alas Pilipinas, came within a skin of history at the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship.
A skin touching the net, literally.
Jubilation became heartbreak for Alas at the end of a crucial encounter with Iran as the host bowed, 25-21, 21-25, 25-17, 23-25, 20-22, on Thursday night.
With a Round of 16 berth on the line, the Filipinos pushed powerhouse Iran to the limit in a five-set thriller that kept 14,240 fans on the edge of their seats.
The opening two sets were tightly contested, with Iran and the Philippines trading blows in a battle of offense and grit.
Both frames ended at 25-21, with the Philippines drawing first blood in Set 1 through the efforts of Marck Espejo and Leo Ordiales, who tallied 5 points each.
Iran’s Ali Hajipour countered with a game-high 8 points to keep his side in stride, before Iran answered back in the second set to even the match at one apiece.
In Set 3, Alas Pilipinas seized control and never looked back. Espejo, Ordiales, Bryan Bagunas, and Kim Malabunga provided steady scoring, while Ordiales fired a service ace and Joshua Retamar delivered a momentum-boosting solo block.
Capitalizing on Iran’s costly service errors, the Filipinos pulled away, with Espejo hammering down the set-clinching attack for a commanding 2–1 match lead.
The fourth set proved to be another nail-biter.
The Philippines started strong, forcing Iran into an early timeout at 3-1, but the Iranians quickly recovered behind sharp attacks and an ace to take the lead.
Bagunas and Malabunga answered with clutch plays at the net, and the set stayed tight through the mid-game, with both teams exchanging blocks, aces, and challenges.
Hajipour once again carried Iran’s offense down the stretch, scoring key points to hold off the Filipinos.
Despite Ordiales saving a set point at 23-24, Hajipour sealed it with a decisive attack as Iran escaped to force a winner-take-all fifth set.
In the decider, Iran raced ahead 8-4, but Alas Pilipinas stormed back with back-to-back blocks to tie it at 10-all, igniting the home crowd.
The two teams traded blows in a tense finish, with Bagunas, Espejo, and Ordiales delivering big hits to keep the Philippines alive.
A crucial net touch challenge against Malabunga reversed a celebration for the hosts at 19-all, swinging momentum back to Iran.
Despite Bagunas’ late heroics, Hajipour and the Iranians held firm, closing out the set to clinch the match and deny the Philippines a Round of 16 berth.
Though the loss stings, Alas Pilipinas earned the admiration of the home crowd and showed they can stand toe-to-toe with some of the world’s best.
Bagunas, Ordiales, and Espejo top-scored for the Philippines with 22, 21, and 15 points respectively, while Poriya and Hajipour powered Iran with 22 apiece.
