In the Philippines, Christmas starts in September — but for the University of Northern Philippines men’s volleyball team, the holiday season came early this year.
The Sharks, as the team is known, received a gift that could shape their growth not only as athletes but also as individuals: tickets to witness the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship live at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The tickets were personally handed out by UNP President Erwin Cadorna, sending 16 of the Sharks — though some team members couldn’t make the trip — on a journey roughly 400 kilometers from their home in Vigan City to the heart of Philippine volleyball action.
Among the matches they were set to witness was Alas Pilipinas going head-to-head with Tunisia.
“Actually, sinabi po ng coach namin, si Coach Leo Baja, noon na may ireregalo ‘yung president mismo ng university which is sa December pa dapat po. Pero fortunately, ito po pala! Biglaan po,” shared Jonard Aquino, the team’s libero, recalling the surprise announcement.
“Napakalaking opportunity po nito para sa amin lalo na sa aming players. Kagabi pa before byahe, super excited na po kami sa pagpunta dito kasi nga po, World Championship na nga siya, the best international players — kahit sino naman po siguro maeexcite,” he added, still in awe of being at a venue where the world’s volleyball elite compete.
The Sharks, who compete in the State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association Region 1, were also set to watch Brazil, ranked third in the world, clash with Czechia, Iran face Tunisia, and Serbia take on China.
For Aquino, this experience was another level beyond what he had seen during the 2025 SEA V.League first leg in Candon City, where he had already watched Alas Pilipinas live. This time, however, the Philippines was competing against the very best the world has to offer.
“Personally po, I idolize Josh Ybañez, now a libero for Alas. It’s not my first time po na mapanuod siya live kasi nakanuod ako nung naglaro sila sa amin sa Candon, pero ito po kasi highest level na—it’s the World Championship. It inspires and motivates us to push more sa passion naming paglalaro ng volleyball,” Aquino said.
Indeed, for the Sharks, the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship is more than just a sporting event — it’s a gift that keeps on giving, igniting dreams and fueling ambition.
