The Philippine National Volleyball Federation announced with deep sorrow the sudden passing of Ike Barilea (November 9, 2004 – November 11, 2025) on Tuesday.
He was only 21 years old.
The cause of death has not been disclosed.
“The court feels emptier, and our hearts heavier. Rest easy, Ike Barilea,” the national team’s social media account wrote. “Thank you for the laughter, the memories, and the heart you gave to the team. Heaven gained an angel, but we lost a piece of ours. Fly high, our dear ALAS.”
Barilea, a promising spiker from Negros, had been part of the initial Alas Pilipinas Men pool for the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship.
He first turned heads during the 2025 PNVF U21 National Finals, leading 1Silay Volleyball Club to a bronze finish.
His performance earned him a spot in the national team pool, where he trained in preparation for the world championship.
He also competed with Cignal in the 2025 AVC Men’s Champions League in Japan as part of a squad composed of national team players, before being among the first cuts from the World Championship-bound lineup.
Earlier in his career, Barilea played for Santa Rosa City in the Spikers’ Turf during the 2022 season.
The volleyball community mourns the loss of a young talent whose passion, energy, and dedication left a lasting mark on the sport.
