A heartbroken Steven Rotter was left grappling with the cruel question of what could have been, after a technicality barred him from donning the Alas Pilipinas jersey in the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship.
Despite being with the team from the very beginning of its World Championship preparations, Rotter’s name was shockingly absent when the Philippine National Volleyball Federation unveiled its Final 14 last Wednesday.
It turns out the 27-year-old Filipino-American outside hitter from La Palma, California — who has been playing in and for the Philippines since 2023 — is still under the jurisdiction of USA Volleyball.
This ultimately forced his exclusion from the roster, despite having already worn the national colors in the Southeast Asian Games, Asian Games, SEA V.League, and multiple AVC tournaments.
“I’m still associated with USA Volleyball,” Rotter told members of the press before the start of Alas Pilipinas’ opening match against Tunisia at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
“So I have to change federations, People thought I got cut. It’s not that, it’s technical things. Sucks.”
Faced with the loss of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and a lifelong dream, Rotter has turned his focus to giving his full support to his teammates as they kickstart their campaign in a grueling Pool A campaign against Iran, Egypt, and Tunisia.
“I’m very excited for them. It sucks that I can’t be part of the roster but it is what it is. I’m here to cheer on my team and hopefully, at the end of this day we win this game,” said the Spikers’ Turf Final MVP.
The Cignal star said he will exhaust every avenue to fast-track his papers, determined to suit up for Alas Pilipinas in the Southeast Asian Games this December.
“I have to get that done soon so I can play in the SEA Games. Just resources I have that hopefully can expedite it fast enough, where I can play in the SEA Games,” said Rotter.
“It’s a big what if, but I’m very optimistic and positive even though it’s kind of a bad feeling right now. But it is what it is.”
#WATCH: “People thought I got cut, but it’s just technical things”
Steve Rotter sets the record straight on why he didn’t make the final lineup for Alas Men in the historic #MWCH2025 🏐 🇵🇭
📹 Jonash Dannug/Tiebreaker Times pic.twitter.com/py90QpLiY1
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) September 12, 2025
