The Philippine men’s national volleyball team endured a disappointing start to its 2026 Southeast Asian Volleyball League (SEA V.League) campaign after suffering a hard-fought five-set defeat to Cambodia, 23-25, 30-28, 20-25, 25-22, 8-15, on Wednesday, July 15, at the Candon City Arena.
Despite the setback, Alas Pilipinas Men found encouraging signs in the performances of first-time national team members Joshua Magalaman and Jude Garcia, who both impressed in their international debuts.
Magalaman led the Filipinos with 21 points built on 15 attacks, four blocks, and two service aces, while Garcia added 20 markers as the duo spearheaded the home team’s offensive charge. Although their efforts ultimately fell short against a determined Cambodian squad, both newcomers showed they belong on the international stage.
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For Garcia, however, the match carried significance far beyond the final score.
The Far Eastern University (FEU) standout described wearing the Philippine jersey as the fulfillment of a long-held dream, one that had taken years to become reality.
“It’s very special because ever since I entered Far Eastern University (FEU), it’s been my dream to represent the national team in indoor volleyball,” Garcia said after the match. “The opportunity was delayed for a while, but now that I have been given this chance, I’m making the most of it and showing that I deserve this spot.”
Garcia’s national team journey has been anything but straightforward.
The decorated outside hitter was initially called up to Alas Pilipinas last year but made the difficult decision to decline the invitation in order to prioritize his growing family, choosing to stay home and support his pregnant wife during an important chapter in their lives.
Now finally given the opportunity to don the national colors, Garcia is determined to maximize every chance he gets, both as a scorer and as one of the team’s veteran voices despite making his international debut.
Following the heartbreaking loss, Garcia echoed head coach Angiolino Frigoni’s message of learning from adversity rather than dwelling on it.
“As coach Angiolino Frigoni told us, we have to learn from this loss. Now we will prepare for our next game against Indonesia, and we have to be ready for it,” Garcia said.
‘TALAGANG PAGTA-TRABAHUHAN NAMIN’ ❤️🔥
Jude Garcia reflects on the pride of wearing the national colors as the Alas Pilipinas Men look to bounce back against Indonesia in their regional tournament clash this Friday. | 🎥 Nic Earnshaw/Cignal pic.twitter.com/jroIpMAsMv
— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) July 16, 2026
Beyond his contributions on the scoreboard, Garcia recognizes that his responsibilities extend to leadership. Although new to international competition, the 27-year-old is among the more experienced players in the current Alas Pilipinas lineup, a role he has embraced during his successful stint with Criss Cross.
“It’s similar to my role with Criss Cross. I’m one of the oldest players on this team, so I have to be a role model for the younger guys,” Garcia explained.
“I have to be mindful of everything I do—how I help keep them composed on the court and how I guide them during the game.”
His leadership will be even more crucial as the Philippines prepares for a must-win showdown against regional powerhouse Indonesia.
The reigning Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Men’s Cup champions represent one of Southeast Asia’s strongest volleyball programs, meaning Alas Pilipinas will need a significantly improved performance to remain in contention in the opening leg of the SEA V.League.
Garcia acknowledged the magnitude of the challenge but expressed confidence that strict adherence to Frigoni’s system will give the Filipinos their best chance of pulling off an upset.
“We will stick to coach Frigoni’s game plan and follow what he wants us to do,” Garcia said.
“We are going to prepare well because Indonesia is a tough team. Whatever effort we gave today, we will have to double or even triple it in our next match.”
Despite the opening-day disappointment, Garcia’s debut offered another reminder of why he has become one of the country’s most accomplished volleyball players.
A standout during his collegiate career with FEU in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), Garcia established himself as one of the premier outside hitters of his generation. His dominance continued at the club level, where he collected five Most Valuable Player awards while cementing his reputation as one of Philippine volleyball’s elite talents.
His consistent excellence also earned him back-to-back recognition as the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Press Corps Season Most Valuable Player in 2025 and 2026, further highlighting the pedigree he brings to the national team.
With his long-awaited international debut finally behind him, Garcia now hopes to channel both his experience and leadership into helping Alas Pilipinas bounce back quickly as they seek their first victory of the tournament against Indonesia on Friday, July 17.
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