As the crowd built up for the second game of the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship on Thursday, the fan zone inside the SM Mall of Asia Arena was already alive with activity from supporters eager to maximize the experience.
Among them was Eulric Jacob Valdez, who entered the arena for the Bulgaria–United States quarterfinal but went straight to the fan zone an hour before the match instead of taking his seat.
Valdez, a diehard fan of Bulgarian stars Aleksandar and Moni Nikolov, was hoping to secure a chance to meet his volleyball idols up close. He patiently waited for an opportunity to grab a photo or an autograph as the night’s action unfolded just a few steps away.
“Siyempre para sa Nikolov brothers, si Moni and si Alex. Ang galing kasi nila, kaya kailangan may picture ako with them. Nandito na ako sa fan zone kasi gusto ko nandito na agad ako sa harapan, ‘yung tipong konti na lang yayakapin mo na sila, ganun,” said Valdez, who came dressed in full Bulgarian gear to show his support.
Having already watched Bulgaria’s three pool phase outings and its Round of 16 win, Valdez knew there was a huge chance this quarterfinal might be the team’s last — and his final opportunity to see the Nikolov brothers up close.
To him, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, one worth exchanging a seat in the stands for a spot on the floor of the fan zone.
(C) Volleyball World
“Kasi once in a lifetime mo lang sila makikita dito sa Philippines, and definitely ang ganda ng play style nila na nadala nila ‘yung Bulgaria dito sa final eight,” said Valdez.
“This is my fourth time. Lahat po ng games nila sinusundan ko po talaga. First ko pa lang na mag-antay dito kasi ‘di ko pa nakita nung una na ganto pala karami ‘yung fans ngayon, usually pinapanood [ko] hanggang second set, third set, pero ngayon iba po eh,” he added.
He first learned about the Nikolov brothers during last year’s Volleyball Nations League, where their standout performances left a mark on him. Since then, he has followed their journey closely and made sure to catch them live here in Manila.
“Ever since last year, pinapanood ko ‘yung mga games nila sa VNL. Iba po, iba po talaga sila. And when you see them up close personally, iba po ‘yung power, play style, setting, iba po,” who plays as an outside hitter for his school in Quezon City.
Valdez is hoping his patience pays off with even just a brief moment with the Nikolov brothers.
“Sobrang, sobrang, sobrang importante na makita ko sila, as in. Fan na fan po talaga nila ako.”
#WATCH: Fans already lined up at the fan zone 50 minutes before the USA–Bulgaria quarterfinal clash 🇺🇸🇧🇬🏐
📹 @jonashdcd /Tiebreaker Times#MWCH2025 pic.twitter.com/0zic5Z9qe5
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) September 25, 2025
