Bryan Bagunas, Marck Espejo, and Jau Umandal will spearhead the 21-man pool of the Philippine men’s national volleyball team for the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship next year.
Collegiate standouts, led by reigning UAAP MVP Josh Ybañez of UST, Nico Almendras and Jade Disquitado of NU, Noel Kampton of La Salle, and Louie Ramirez of Perpetual, will beef up the outside hitters’ pool alongside Cignal key reserve Mark Calado.
JP Bugaoan of Cignal and Kim Malabunga of Criss Cross lead the middle blockers and will be joined by another HD Spiker in Lloyd Josafat and Bulldogs Rwenzmel Taguibolos and Choi Diao.
Meanwhile, NU playmaker Owa Retamar, who played a key role in the country’s silver medal finish in the 30th Southeast Asian Games, is set to make his return to the national team.
Joseph Bello, who backs up Retamar with the Bulldogs, and Arellano’s Adrian Villados, round out the setters.
Vince Lorenzo of Cignal and Menard Guerrero of La Salle will serve as liberos.
Lastly, UST standout Sherwin Umandal and NU’s Leo Ordiales are the opposite spikers.
Coaching the squad is Brazilian head coach Sergio Veloso. Veteran coaches Dante Alinsunurin and Odjie Mamon will serve as his assistants.
