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Tag: Alas Pilipinas Men

  • Filipino volleyball stars shine as Sisi Rondina-Bernadeth Pons tandem and Bryan Bagunas earn AVC honors 

    Filipino volleyball stars shine as Sisi Rondina-Bernadeth Pons tandem and Bryan Bagunas earn AVC honors 

    Three Filipino volleyball stars made their presence felt on one of Asian volleyball’s biggest nights, as Sisi Rondina-Rosales, Bernadeth Pons, and Bryan Bagunas took home Fans’ Choice awards at the inaugural Asian Volleyball Confederation Gala in Bangkok, Thailand.

     

    The Philippine trio stood alongside some of the continent’s biggest names at the Seesarin Studio on Saturday, receiving recognition from fans for their impact on the sport.

     

    Rondina-Rosales and Pons were honored in beach volleyball, while Bagunas claimed the Fans’ Choice Men’s Volleyball Player award, giving the Philippines three major recognitions on the AVC’s first gala night.

     

    For Bagunas, the award served as another reminder of the growing recognition surrounding Philippine volleyball.

     

    “This recognition has driven us to excel more and see what else we can do more for our country,” said Bagunas, a nine-year national team member who captained Alas Pilipinas during its historic FIVB Men’s World Championship campaign in the Philippines last year.

     

    “We are incredibly happy and proud,” he added.

     

    The Osaka Bluteon star believes the recognition can also provide additional motivation heading into another major challenge for the national team.

     

    “This is a great boost to our next competition — the Asian Games. I believe we can win.”

     

    Rondina-Rosales, meanwhile, was among the Philippine beach volleyball representatives who received the fans’ nod after another year of making an impact on the international scene.

     

    “We are thrilled to be here along with Asia’s best,” said Rondina-Rosales, who attended the gala wearing a Filipiniana by Ryan Ablaza, the same designer behind her wedding gown.

     

    Pons shared the same sense of pride, particularly in being recognized alongside the best players from across the continent.

     

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    “Grateful for the opportunity, and it’s a great feeling when you’re with the best of the best of the sport you love,” Pons said.

     

    “Thankful to the AVC, FIVB and Sir Tats (Ramon Suzara) for organizing this kind of event and for the fans who recognized us.”

     

    The awards also highlighted how Philippine volleyball has continued to gain visibility beyond the country’s borders.

     

    With Filipino players now regularly competing on international stages, the recognition of Rondina-Rosales, Pons, and Bagunas reflects the growing connection between Philippine volleyball and fans across Asia.

     

    The gala itself marked a milestone for the AVC, bringing together athletes, officials, and representatives from all 65 member associations for an evening dedicated to celebrating the sport and its athletes.

     

    “This is a testament of how far we have come after 74 years of the AVC. I am incredibly grateful that we hosted our first-ever AVC Gala as we showed respect with one another despite the different cultures, different languages, but we are one family under the AVC banner,” Suzara said.

     

    FIVB president Fabio Azevedo also welcomed the initiative, expressing hope that the event would become a regular celebration of Asian volleyball.

     

    “It was fantastic as we were all here together and overjoyed. This is the first night, but I am quite sure this will become a tradition because it iş important to honor our athletes that inspire the next generation,” Azevedo said.

     

    “Great event by the AVC for the volleyball fans,” he added.

     

    The Philippines also had another representative in the spotlight, with Arabelle Dela Cruz of Sparkle GMA Artist Center earning praise for her performance during the event.

     

    But the biggest takeaway for Philippine volleyball was undoubtedly the trio of Rondina-Rosales, Pons, and Bagunas leaving Bangkok with fans’ honors — another sign that Filipino talent continues to command attention across Asia.

     

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  • Owa Retamar breaks new ground as first Filipino men’s volleyball import in Europe

    Owa Retamar breaks new ground as first Filipino men’s volleyball import in Europe

    The Alas Pilipinas Men playmaker, Owa Retamar is set to become the first Filipino men’s volleyball player to compete as an import in Europe after officially signing with Azerbaijan-based Ordu Sports Club for the 2026-27 season.


    Retamar is scheduled to leave for Azerbaijan on August 11, giving him ample time to acclimate to his new surroundings and develop chemistry with his teammates before the season officially begins. 

     

    Ordu Sports has already formally welcomed the Filipino setter as part of an ambitious roster assembled to compete at the highest level.

     

    His arrival also places him alongside some of the biggest names in international volleyball. Leading the club is decorated Italian star Ivan Zaytsev, whose career includes multiple podium finishes and awards in the Olympic Games, Volleyball Nations League, and European Championship. 

     

    The roster also features libero Lauri Kerminen, regarded as one of Europe’s premier defensive specialists, setter Axel Jacobsen, one of the sport’s elite playmakers, Czech opposite hitter Michal Finger, and Cuban standout Salvador Hidalgo Oliva.

     

    According to Retamar’s management, discussions with Ordu Sports had been underway for several months, with the club identifying the Filipino as the ideal player to direct its offense from the setter position.

     

    “This is a dream come true and a challenge that I’m truly excited to embrace,” Retamar said.

     

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    “Playing in Europe has always been one of my aspirations because it allows me to compete against some of the best players in the world and continue growing as an athlete. While I may be wearing the colors of Ordu Sports Club, I know that I will still be carrying the Philippines with me on another playing field,” he added.

     

    Retamar’s early arrival is no coincidence as his representatives stressed that unlike other positions, setters require extensive preparation with teammates before competitive matches begin, making every training session before the season invaluable.

     

    “For a setter, joining the team ahead of the season is extremely important. Building chemistry with teammates cannot be rushed, and Joshua’s early arrival will allow him to fully integrate into the team’s system before official competitions begin,” his management, Virtual Playground, said.

     

    The move represents another milestone in a career that has steadily risen through Philippine volleyball.

     

    Retamar established himself as one of the country’s top setters during his decorated stint with National University, where he collected multiple UAAP championships and individual awards while helping build the Bulldogs into one of the league’s premier programs.

     

    He eventually carried that success onto the international stage as a mainstay for Alas Pilipinas Men, where his court vision and leadership have made him one of the national team’s most reliable playmakers.

     

    Before departing for Europe, Retamar also expressed gratitude to everyone who helped him reach the historic achievement.

     

    More than a personal accomplishment, Retamar’s signing signals a significant step for Philippine men’s volleyball. His success in one of Europe’s competitive professional leagues could reshape how international clubs view Filipino talent and pave the way for more local players to earn opportunities on the global stage.

     

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  • Alas Men face do-or-die showdown against Indonesia in SEA V Cup Leg 2

    Alas Men face do-or-die showdown against Indonesia in SEA V Cup Leg 2

    There is no room left for second chances.


    Alas Pilipinas Men heads into Friday night’s clash with Indonesia knowing that anything less than a straight-set victory will bring its 2026 SEA V Cup campaign to an early end.

     

    The Filipinos face one of Southeast Asia’s volleyball heavyweights at 8:00 p.m. at the Jakarta International Velodrome, with their semifinal hopes hanging by a thread after stumbling in their tournament opener.

     

    Alas opened Leg 2 with a 20-25, 21-25, 24-26 defeat to Cambodia—a familiar opponent that also denied the Philippines in five sets during the first leg in Candon City.

     

    The setback left the Nationals with virtually no margin for error in the compact tournament format.

     

    Standing in their way now is an Indonesian squad brimming with confidence after dispatching Cambodia, 26-24, 25-15, 25-17, in its opening assignment.

     

    The hosts also arrive carrying the momentum of their recent triumph in the 2026 AVC Men’s Cup, further cementing their status as one of the region’s premier volleyball programs.

     

    Indonesia has also had the upper hand against the Filipinos in recent meetings.

     

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    During Leg 1 in Candon, Alas fought hard but still fell in straight sets, 20-25, 23-25, 25-27, highlighting just how slim the margin has been between the two teams despite the result.

     

    Italian head coach Angiolino Frigoni is expected to once again rely on the core that has carried the national team throughout the tournament.

     

    Jude Garcia, Lirick Mendoza, Josh Magalaman, Lloyd Josafat, Adrian Villados, and reigning Leg 1 Best Libero Josh Ybañez will be tasked with delivering the biggest performance of the campaign against a formidable Indonesian side.

     

    But beating the hosts alone will not be enough.

     

    To remain in contention for a semifinal berth, Alas Pilipinas must win in straight sets—a difficult assignment against one of Southeast Asia’s strongest teams, but one that also presents the Filipinos an opportunity to keep their tournament alive with a statement victory.

     

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  • Alas Pilipinas runs out of answers as Cambodia spoils SEA V Cup redemption bid 

    Alas Pilipinas runs out of answers as Cambodia spoils SEA V Cup redemption bid 

    Alas Pilipinas’ hopes of rewriting the script against Cambodia will have to wait.

     

    A week after pushing the Southeast Asian champions to a thrilling five-set battle in Leg 1, the Filipinos were unable to finish key stretches this time, bowing to Cambodia, 20-25, 21-25, 24-26, in their opening match of the 2026 SEA V Cup Leg 2 on Thursday at the Jakarta International Velodrome.

     

    The defeat immediately puts the Philippines in a difficult position in Pool A, with a showdown against host Indonesia on Friday now carrying must-win implications if Alas Men hopes to keep its semifinal aspirations alive.

     

    The latest meeting looked nothing like their marathon clash in Candon, where the Filipinos forced the eventual champions to five sets before falling, 23-25, 30-28, 20-25, 25-22, 8-15. This time, Cambodia showed why it ruled the first leg, staying composed whenever the Philippines threatened to seize momentum.

     

    Still, Alas Pilipinas made one final push in the third set.

     

    Behind an ace from Adrian Villados and a quick attack by Joshua Magalaman, the Filipinos built a promising 14-9 cushion and looked poised to extend the match.

     

    But Cambodia slowly chipped away at the deficit with its disciplined defense and timely attacks, eventually drawing level at 18-all before setting up a tense finish.

     

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    Neither side gave an inch as the teams traded points late in the set.

     

    Cambodia’s Voeurn Veasna first broke a 22-all deadlock with a decisive attack, only for Jude Garcia to answer with an off-the-block hit to keep the Filipinos alive.

     

    The exchange continued until the set reached 24-all, but Kuon Mom delivered another crucial attack to put Cambodia back on match point. On the ensuing rally, Garcia’s attack drifted long, allowing Cambodia to complete the straight-set victory.

     

    The loss leaves Alas Pilipinas with little margin for error heading into its clash against Indonesia, where only a victory will keep its campaign alive in Jakarta.

     

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  • Angiolino Frigoni keeps faith in same roster as Alas Pilipinas Men eye redemption in SEA V Cup Leg 2

    Angiolino Frigoni keeps faith in same roster as Alas Pilipinas Men eye redemption in SEA V Cup Leg 2

    Alas Pilipinas Men head coach Angiolino Frigoni has opted to bring back the same 14-man roster that competed in the opening leg of the Southeast Asian Volleyball (SEA V) Cup, expressing confidence that the team’s steady progress outweighs the final standings. 


    The men’s national team now heads to Jakarta for Leg 2 of the tournament, scheduled from July 22 to 26, with another opportunity to measure its growth against the region’s best.

     

    Their campaign begins with an immediate test—a rematch against first-leg champion Cambodia, the same squad that denied the Filipinos in a gripping five-set battle during the preliminary round in Candon.

     

    For Frigoni, however, the encouraging signs came not from the results alone but from how his team competed throughout the tournament.

     

    “I am more satisfied with the performance of the team in the matches that we lost than the one that we won,” Frigoni said.

     

    That statement reflected the veteran Italian coach’s belief that the squad showed resilience despite falling just short against stronger opposition. 

     

    Aside from the five-set defeat to eventual champion Cambodia, Alas Pilipinas also pushed finalist Indonesia before absorbing a competitive straight-set loss. The Filipinos eventually salvaged fifth place by defeating Myanmar in the classification match.

     

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    Those performances convinced Frigoni that the current group deserves another opportunity together rather than a major overhaul.

     

    The returning roster will once again be anchored by Josh Ybanez, who earned Best Libero honors in Candon despite the team’s non-podium finish. 

     

    He is joined by fellow FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship campaigners Lloyd Josafat, Louie Ramirez, and Vince Lorenzo, along with Southeast Asian Games beach volleyball medalist Jude Garcia.

     

    Also making the trip to Jakarta are Jian Salarzon, Axel Van Book, JJ Macam, Al Bukhari Sali, Rodge Alejos, Trevor Valerra, Lirick Mendoza, Josh Magalaman, Greg Ancheta, Adrian Villados, and Vennie Ceballos.

     

    Although Frigoni kept his roster intact, he made it clear that no position within the national team is guaranteed. Players who were unavailable during the first leg still have a chance to return, but they must earn their place through competition.

     

    “I am proud of everybody. They made improvements,” Frigoni said.

     

    With confidence in his squad’s development, Frigoni hopes those lessons from Candon will translate into better finishes in Jakarta.

     

    The road begins on Thursday, July 23, with a chance to avenge the heartbreaking five-set loss to Cambodia. Another stern challenge follows on Friday, July 24, when Alas Pilipinas takes on regional powerhouse Indonesia, looking to turn its promising performances into breakthrough victories.

     

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  • Adrian Villados embraces second chance with Alas Pilipinas, eyes stronger Leg 2 showing 

    Adrian Villados embraces second chance with Alas Pilipinas, eyes stronger Leg 2 showing 

    For Adrian Villados, wearing the Alas Pilipinas jersey again meant more than simply returning to the national team—it was proof that patience, hard work, and steady growth can earn another opportunity on the international stage.


    Three years after making his debut for the Philippine men’s volleyball team in the 2023 Asian Games, the playmaker has returned as a more accomplished setter, bringing with him valuable championship experience and a greater understanding of what it takes to compete against Southeast Asia’s best.


    The Criss Cross floor general capped his comeback campaign by helping the Philippines finish fifth in the opening leg of the 2026 SEA V Cup in Candon City, a result that also served as another step in his development under Italian head coach Angiolino Frigoni.


    “I’m really happy. This is a huge experience for me,” Villados said in Filipino after the tournament.

    “Playing alongside both the younger guys and the veterans was a huge experience for us. Competing in the SEA V Cup is something we’ll definitely carry with us into our next games,” he added.


    Villados returned to the national team carrying far more confidence than when he first represented the country.


    Since his first stint with Alas Pilipinas, the former Arellano University standout has established himself as one of the country’s top setters, winning two Spikers’ Turf championships, collecting two Best Setter awards, and capturing Invitational Finals MVP honors with Criss Cross.


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    Those accomplishments, he believes, have prepared him for another opportunity to wear the Philippine colors.


    “I just tried to use the confidence I gained from winning the Finals MVP to help me play well here. At the same time, no matter what happens, we always stick to Coach Frigoni’s system,” said Villados.


    “Coach Frigoni always tells us that as long as we stick to his system, we’ll give our best against any team we face and we’ll be able to compete with them.”


    Villados also considers his journey through different coaching philosophies as another advantage, having previously played under Brazilian mentor Sergio Veloso before now adapting to Frigoni’s structured system.


    While the opening leg ended without a semifinal appearance, the experience gave the team a clearer picture of the level they need to reach moving forward.


    That challenge only becomes tougher in Leg 2 in Jakarta, where the Philippines will once again battle defending champion Cambodia and host Indonesia in a stacked pool with a semifinal berth on the line.


    Despite the difficult road ahead, Villados believes the team is beginning to find its identity and is confident the lessons learned from Candon will translate into a better showing.


    “We know we still have a lot to improve and there’s so much more we can do. But little by little, we’re starting to understand Coach Frigoni’s system. We’ll keep working hard and do even better in the next leg,” said Villados.


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  • Alas Pilipinas Men gets fresh shot at redemption in SEA V Cup Leg 2 

    Alas Pilipinas Men gets fresh shot at redemption in SEA V Cup Leg 2 

    A second chance arrives quickly for Alas Pilipinas.

     

    Less than a week after wrapping up a fifth-place finish on home soil, the Philippine men’s volleyball team returns to the court with an opportunity to rewrite its SEA V Cup campaign in Leg 2, which gets underway at the Jakarta International Velodrome in Indonesia.

     

    The Filipinos once again find themselves in a challenging Pool A alongside host Indonesia and Cambodia, the team that stunned the field by capturing the Leg 1 title after defeating the Philippines in five sets during the preliminary round.

     

    This time, however, Alas Pilipinas enters with valuable experience from the opening leg and hopes to translate those lessons into better results.

     

    The Nationals avoided a last-place finish in Candon by sweeping Myanmar in their final match, while several newcomers—including Josh Magalaman and Jude Garcia—showed encouraging signs in their first tournament wearing the national colors.

     

    Now, head coach Angiolino Frigoni’s squad faces another opportunity to measure its progress against two of Southeast Asia’s toughest teams.

     

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    Pool B features regional powerhouse Thailand together with Vietnam and Myanmar, with only the top teams advancing to the knockout stage.

     

    Cambodia and Indonesia will officially open Pool A action on Wednesday night before the Philippines begins its campaign the following day.

     

    Alas Pilipinas schedule – SEA V Cup Leg 2

     

    July 23 (Thursday)

     

    8:00 p.m. – Alas Pilipinas vs. Cambodia

     

    July 24 (Friday)

     

    8:00 p.m. – Alas Pilipinas vs. Indonesia

     

    The opening match against Cambodia offers the Filipinos an immediate chance to avenge their heartbreaking five-set loss in Leg 1, while the showdown against host Indonesia could ultimately determine whether Alas Pilipinas advances deeper into the tournament.

     

    With a young roster beginning to gain chemistry under Frigoni, the second leg presents an opportunity not only to climb the standings but also to show how much the team has grown in just one week. 

     

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  • Jude Garcia ready to answer every Alas Pilipinas call after long-awaited indoor debut 

    Jude Garcia ready to answer every Alas Pilipinas call after long-awaited indoor debut 

    For years, Jude Garcia watched from the sidelines as opportunities to wear the Alas Pilipinas jersey for the men’s indoor team came and went.

     

    Now that he has finally broken through, the five-time Spikers’ Turf Most Valuable Player has no intention of letting that opportunity be a one-time experience.

     

    Fresh off completing his first tournament with the national indoor squad, Garcia made it clear that representing the Philippines will remain a priority whenever his name is called.

     

    “Siyempre, as long as kino-call up ako sa national team po, magco-commit pa rin ako sa natio    nal team kasi sobrang laking bagay, opportunity na mapabilang sa Alas, sa national team,” said the 5-foot-11 wing spiker.

     

    “Kumbaga, hindi ko na iniisip yung future kasi talagang kung ipupunta kami dito, talagang magco-commit ako, magco-commit, basta walang club season.”

     

    Garcia’s first campaign with Alas Pilipinas ended on a positive note after the Nationals swept Myanmar, 25-21, 28-26, 25-22, on Saturday to finish fifth in the opening leg of the 2026 SEA V.Cup at the Candon City Arena.

     

    While the result fell short of a podium finish, it marked the beginning of a new chapter for Garcia, whose international career had previously been built almost entirely on beach volleyball.

     

    Before earning his long-awaited indoor breakthrough, the 27-year-old had already established himself as one of the country’s most decorated beach volleyball players, collecting three Southeast Asian Games bronze medals and another podium finish in the AVC Continental Cup.

     

    Despite receiving previous invitations to the indoor program, circumstances had always prevented him from joining—making this opportunity even more meaningful. 

     

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    “Sobrang grateful lang kasi ang laking opportunity nito para sa akin kasi yun nga ang tagal ko nang hinihintay. Ngayon lang dumating. So, talaga, hangga’t nandito ako, i-cherish ko yung moment na ibigay ko yung best every game and every practice sa game,” he said.

     

    Garcia also showed his versatility throughout the tournament.

     

    After spending the pool stage as an outside hitter, he shifted to opposite hitter in the victory over Myanmar and contributed eight points, proving he could be effective on either wing just as he has been for club team Criss Cross.

     

    “Sobrang komportable na ako kasi siyempre alam naman natin ang gagawin mo lang sa opposite dedepensa ka, aatake ka, and ba-block ka lang so, siyempre sa mindset ko lang talaga pupunta sa akin yung bola, gagawin ko lang yung pinakabest ko,” he said.

     

    With the national team having been assembled only in mid-May, Garcia believes their final-day victory provides valuable momentum as Alas Pilipinas prepares for the second leg of the SEA V.Cup in Jakarta from July 22 to 26.

     

    “Sobrang laking motivation di lang para sa akin, para sa teammates ko din kasi lahat naman kami trinabaho namin yung game na to, trinabaho namin past games namin talaga,” he said.

     

    “Kita naman doon yung effort ng bawat isa, so dadalhin namin ‘tong experience na ‘to sa leg 2 na sana mas magiging maganda yung resulta ng leg 2 namin.”

     

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  • Josh Ybañez proves libero switch is paying off with back-to-back SEA V.Cup Best Libero awards 

    Josh Ybañez proves libero switch is paying off with back-to-back SEA V.Cup Best Libero awards 

    Josh Ybañez’s reinvention continues to produce results on the international stage.

     

    Once known as one of the country’s most explosive wing spikers, the Alas Pilipinas standout has fully embraced life as a libero—and the accolades continue to follow.

     

    Ybañez was named Best Libero in Leg 1 of the 2026 SEA V.Cup in Candon City, making history as the first Alas Pilipinas player to win the award in consecutive legs after also claiming the honor during Leg 2 of last year’s tournament in Jakarta.

     

    The recognition further cements what has become one of the most successful position changes in Philippine men’s volleyball in recent years.

     

    Instead of leading the attack, Ybañez has become the steady presence at the backline, anchoring the country’s defense against some of Southeast Asia’s strongest teams.

     

    Throughout the weeklong tournament, the former high-scoring outside hitter served as head coach Angiolino Frigoni’s lone libero, taking on the responsibility of organizing the floor defense while consistently delivering on receptions and digs in all three matches. 

     

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    His composure and reliability became one of the biggest strengths of an Alas Pilipinas squad that fielded a youthful lineup in the opening leg.

     

    Although the Nationals fell short of a semifinal berth and settled for fifth place in the six-team competition, they closed their campaign on a positive note by sweeping Myanmar to avoid a winless finish before the tournament shifts to Jakarta for the second leg.

     

    For Ybañez, the individual recognition offered another reminder that his move to libero has unlocked a new chapter in his career rather than slowing it down.

     

    The latest award is already his second Best Libero citation since committing to the position full-time, adding to an impressive collection of international honors that now also includes three SEA V.Cup bronze medals.

     

    With another individual trophy secured, Ybañez now shifts his attention to the second leg of the SEA V.Cup, where Alas Pilipinas Men hopes to build on its encouraging finish and contend more strongly against the region’s volleyball powerhouses in Jakarta from July 22 to 26.

     

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  • Alas Pilipinas Boys keep ninth-place bid alive with sweep of Australia

    Alas Pilipinas Boys keep ninth-place bid alive with sweep of Australia

    The dream of a Top 8 finish may be over, but Alas Pilipinas Boys have found a new mission—and they are making the most of it.

     

    The Philippines stayed on course for its highest-ever finish in the AVC Boys’ U18 Volleyball Championship after dispatching Australia, 25-20, 30-28, 25-20, on Thursday at the Wuyuan River Gymnasium in Haikou, China.

     

    The straight-set victory sends the Filipinos into the 9th-12th classification semifinals, where they will face either Kazakhstan or Hong Kong with a chance to improve on the country’s previous best finish of 11th place achieved in the 2024 edition in Bahrain.

     

    Al-Raquib Dais once again emerged as the driving force behind the Philippine attack, pouring in 25 points built on 21 attacks, three blocks, and one service ace.

     

    Terrence Marticion provided steady support with 11 points as the Filipinos showcased balanced offense and disciplined execution throughout the match.

     

    While the opening and closing sets were firmly controlled by the Philippines, the second frame proved to be the turning point.

     

    The teams battled through six deuces before the Australians blinked first. A costly service error by Alex Liang handed the Filipinos set point, allowing Dais to finish off the extended battle and give Alas a commanding two-set advantage.

     

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    The win highlighted one of the team’s biggest improvements throughout the tournament—its ability to stay composed during crucial stretches.

     

    The Filipinos also capitalized on Australia’s mistakes, forcing the Oceanians into 25 unforced errors while committing only 14 themselves.

     

    For head coach Oliver Balse, the classification round has become an opportunity to end the tournament on a meaningful note despite missing out on the quarterfinals.

     

    “Because we are now out of the Top 8 teams, our goal is to take the best ninth-place finish. That’s our new motivation. We need to continue working hard and raise the rankings,” Balse said.

     

    “We know that Australia is tall and we relied on our plays to make sure that we get this win.”

    Australia leaned on Eddie King, who scored 12 points, while Alex Liang added 11 in the losing effort.

     

    Now carrying renewed confidence, Alas Pilipinas Boys move one step closer to securing the highest finish ever by a Philippine team in the tournament as they continue their pursuit of ninth place.

     

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