With all the resources and support now at their disposal, Bryan Bagunas is determined to repay the faith and lead Alas Pilipinas Men back to the podium at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok, Thailand.
The Alas Men skipper said there’s no better time than now for the Nationals to make their return to the podium since their historic silver finish in 2019—especially with the surge of support the men’s program has been receiving, both in investment and attention, from all fronts.
“Sobrang gigil kaming makapasok sa podium finish kasi matagal na namin itong ginusto, nakuha namin noong 2019 then nawala. Siguro it’s the time naman para bumalik ulit sa podium finish,” Bagunas said a day before their much-anticipated debut in the biennial meet.
“Ang Team Alas is maganda ang preparasyon. Talagang ibinuhos yung suporta para sa amin. It’s time to give back dun sa suporta. Na maganda at maayos na performance ang maibigay namin para sa mga sumusuporta sa amin.”
The Philippines hasn’t returned to the podium since that landmark run in Manila, where they stunned Thailand in the semis before falling to Indonesia in the gold medal match. Since then, the Nationals have missed even the semifinals, finishing fifth in both 2021 (Vietnam) and 2023 (Cambodia).
But now, fresh off a memorable run in the FIVB Volleyball World Championship—where they came within a whisker of reaching the Round of 16—Bagunas believes this group is in its strongest position yet to break through once more.
Backing that belief is the renewed support surrounding the program, highlighted by Spikers’ Turf releasing its players in the middle of the Invitational Conference to give Alas Men ample time to prepare—which allowed them to hold a two-week training camp in Taiwan.
The Philippines will open its Pool B campaign against Myanmar on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at the Indoor Stadium Huamark.
Bagunas stressed the importance of coming out strong from the opening whistle, confident that setting the tone early will be crucial—especially with regional powerhouse Indonesia awaiting them next on Tuesday, also at 1:30 p.m.
“Sa tingin ko dito pa lang sa pool namin kailangan na naming ibigay yung best namin. Kailangan di kami pa-easy-easy lang. Ang Indonesia pagdating sa Southeast Asia talagang sila ang nangingibabaw sa volleyball e. Never pa ata kami nanalo sa Indonesia,” said the Osaka Bluteon.
“Sa tingin ko naman sa ipinapakita ng team, sa nakikita ko sa training mayroon namang chance. ‘Yun nga kailangan pa ring pagtrabahuhan. Every point dapat nandoon ang effort.”
