Philippine volleyball reached a historic milestone after the men’s national team, Alas Pilipinas, secured its first-ever victory at the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship. The breakthrough win has not only boosted the team’s international ranking but also set the stage for a long-term development program aimed at strengthening the sport across the country.
The landmark match took place on September 16 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, where the Philippines stunned Egypt in four sets, 29-27, 23-25, 25-21, 25-21. Bryan Bagunas led the charge with 25 points on a 58 percent attack success rate, while young standout Leo Ordiales added 21 points, including crucial aces. Marck Espejo sealed the victory with a decisive block, sending local fans into celebration.’
The win catapulted the Philippines from world No. 88 to No. 77 in the FIVB rankings, while Egypt dropped to No. 18. More importantly, it gave Filipino fans a reason to believe in the rising strength of men’s volleyball — a sport traditionally overshadowed by the popularity of the women’s game in the country.
Riding on this momentum, the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF), in partnership with the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) and Volleyball World, unveiled a comprehensive seven-year development program. The initiative aims to elevate both men’s and women’s indoor and beach volleyball, with the Philippine Sports Commission pledging its support.
PNVF President Ramon “Tats” Suzara, who also heads the Asian Volleyball Confederation, highlighted the significance of the program. He stressed that the win over Egypt, along with a strong performance against powerhouse Iran, showed that the Philippines has the potential to compete at the world level and inspire the next generation of players.
Volleyball officials believe that the success of Alas Pilipinas goes beyond the scoreboards. They hope the team’s determination and grit will inspire young Filipinos to embrace the sport and dream big. “What matters is what you bring to the field of play,” one official noted, emphasizing that effort and character are as important as victories.
With a historic World Championship win and a long-term development roadmap in place, Philippine volleyball is looking to build not just teams, but a lasting legacy for future generations.
