Philippine Ambassador to Romania Noel Eugene Eusebio Servignon and Chi Torrato Servignon, Romania’s Ambassador to the Philippines Raduta Dana Matache, as well as Second Secretary and Consul Iris Caranzo strike a pose with the Alas Pilipinas Men’s team at the start of training camp in the Romanian city of Piatra Neamt. PNVF Communications
MANILA — Alas Pilipinas Men continue their preparations for the Philippine-hosted 2025 FIVB Men's World Championship.
In pursuit of readiness to put up a show on home soil for the FIVB Worlds, the national team members are currently in Europe to improve their skill sets and chemistry.
They were previously in Morocco, now in Romania, and will fly to Portugal to conclude their three-country training camp just before the 32-nation tournament.
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Alas Pilipinas stalwart Bryan Bagunas shared how Alas Men are training, underscoring that Italian coach Angiolino Frigoni is pushing them to the limit.
“Training here is intense in the morning and in the afternoon session, we focus on strength, conditioning and game systems,” said Bagunas.
“We eat together, train hard together and push each other,” he added. “Coach Angiolino [Frigoni] has been pushing us to be disciplined and smart on the court, and I think that’s making a big difference in our preparation.”
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Bagunas highlighted the mix of veterans and young blood that bring valuable contributions to the team.
“We have a great balance of veterans who bring experience and leadership, and younger players who bring energy and fresh perspectives,” Bagunas said.
Also in the pool besides the 6-foot-5 outside spiker, one of the ambassadors of the world championship, are his 2019 Southeast Asian Games silver medalist teammates Marck Espejo, Kim Malabunga, Owa Retamar and Jack Kalingking, as well as Steven Rotter, Lloyd Josafat, JP Bugaoan, Louie Ramirez, and Vince Lorenzo.
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The veterans are also learning while leading the young guns Leo Ordiales, Buds Buddin, Peng Taguibolos, Josh Ybañez, Kennedy Batas, Jade Disquitado, Eco Adajar, John Michael Paglaon and Ike Andrew Barilea as well as Filipino-Foreigners Elijah Tae-Yin Kim and Lucca Mamone.
Tickets to the world championships—set September 12 to 28 both at the SM Mall of Asia Arena and Smart Araneta Coliseum—are available online via the official website at www.philippineswch2025.com.