Bryan Bagunas stressed that Alas Pilipinas Men are working relentlessly to be at their sharpest for when they play before home fans in the upcoming 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship.
The Nationals are currently in the midst of a three-country training camp and are currently in Romania in hopes of honing their skills and building chemistry as they gear up to pull off an upset in the world tilt set from September 12 to 28 in Manila.
“We eat together, train hard together and push each other,” said Bagunas, who is steadily nearing full recovery after missing most of the team’s buildup with a knee injury.
“Training here is intense in the morning and in the afternoon session, we focus on strength, conditioning and game systems,” he added.
Before flying to Romania, Alas Pilipinas held camp in Morocco and will proceed to Portugal to conclude its European buildup.
Romania, ranked No. 22, and Portugal, ranked No. 28, are both bound for the World Championship, while Morocco — currently at No. 81 — is an active volleyball nation just four spots below the Philippines at No. 77.
Bagunas noted that the team has quickly developed a strong sense of unity, with veterans and younger players complementing each other’s strengths and pushing one another to improve every day.
“We have a great balance of veterans who bring experience and leadership, and younger players who bring energy and fresh perspectives,” the former Spikers’ Turf MVP said.
“Coach Angiolino has been pushing us to be disciplined and smart on the court, and I think that’s making a big difference in our preparation,” he explained as the countdown hit 27 days before the Philippines faces Tunisia on September 12 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Also in the pool with the 6-foot-5 outside hitter — one of the official ambassadors of the World Championship — are his fellow 2019 Southeast Asian Games silver medalists Marck Espejo, Kim Malabunga, Owa Retamar, and Jack Kalingking, along with Steven Rotter, Lloyd Josafat, JP Bugaoan, Louie Ramirez, and Vince Lorenzo.
The veterans, meanwhile, continue to guide while also learning alongside the younger group that includes Leo Ordiales, Buds Buddin, Peng Taguibolos, Josh Ybañez, Kennedy Batas, Jade Disquitado, Eco Adajar, John Michael Paglaon, and Ike Andrew Barilea, as well as Filipino-foreigners Elijah Tae-Yin Kim and Lucca Mamone.
Philippine National Volleyball Federation and Asian Volleyball Confederation Ramon “Tats” Suzara — who co-chairs the Local Organizing Committee for the 32-nation tournament alongside presidential son Vinny Marcos, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, and Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco — lauded the men’s team for their hard work in Europe.
“Our Alas Men’s team is in Portugal and Romania, they’re working so hard so that they can improve our level and I hope we can really play better for the World Championships,” Suzara said.
Tickets to the world championships — set September 12 to 28 both at the SM Mall of Asia Arena and Smart Araneta Coliseum — are available online via the official website at www.philippineswch2025.com.
Following the Philippines-Tunisia kickoff match will be a first-of-its-kind opening ceremony at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, highlighted by a performance from popular K-pop group BOYNEXTDOOR and Cebuana singer-songwriter-actress Karencitta, who will sing the official theme song of the Worlds.
The Nationals then resume Pool A play against world No. 23 Egypt on September 16 before closing the round against No. 13 Iran on September 18.
