HISTORY MAKERS. Alas Pilipinas Men topple World No. 21 Egypt at the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship, September 16, 2025 at the Mall of Asia Arena. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News
MANILA (UPDATED) — The Philippines had never participated in the FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship until this year.
Alas Pilipinas, the second-lowest ranked team and invited to compete by virtue of the country's hosting, pulled off one of the tournament's biggest upsets at the expense of a much higher-ranked squad.
Defying the odds, the Alas Men stunned world No. 21 Egypt, 29-27, 23-25, 25-21, 25-21, in Pool A of the 2025 Men's World Championship, Tuesday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
It was a massive result for the Philippine team, who drew energy from a partisan crowd and each other as they secured a breakthrough win in the 32-nation tournament.
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Egypt was poised to take the first frame, reaching set point 24-23 after a Bryan Bagunas attack fault, but a service error from the visitors gave Alas a lifeline.
The Nationals saved four set points before Bagunas sparked a 3-0 run, as a Kim Malabunga attack propelled the Philippines to set point, and Leo Ordiales blasted an ace that gifted the country the momentous set win.
Despite falling short in Set 2, 23-25, the Nationals showed grit, determination, and passion as they took the next two frames, shocking the world right in front of an electrified home crowd.
Egypt kept the distance close in Set 4, and was only behind two, 22-20, late in the frame.
The final push was there for Alas, as Bagunas, the Philippines' go-to scorer, fired one for a 23-20 lead.
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Ahmed Azab Abdelrahman answered back with an attack of his own, 23-21, but Bagunas found the attack, and Marck Espejo nailed the kill block that gifted the country its first win in the men's world championship--a triumph that was 64 years in the making.
Bagunas, who lived up to his billing with 25 points anchored on 23 attacks and two blocks to go with 12 excellent receptions, was proud that he was part of this historic moment for the Philippines.
"Siyempre, ito nga history nga, sobrang masaya, proud ako na parte ako ng history na to. And ayun. sobrang nakaka-speechless to pag nanalo kami," Bagunas shared to reporters.
"Ginawa lang namin is ayun nga, sabi namin una palang, mag-enjoy lang na nothing to lose. Pakita lang natin kung ano yung mga natutunan and kung anong meron tayo," he added.
READ: FIVB Worlds: Promise kept as Leo Ordiales bounces back vs Egypt after dismal 1st game
Ordiales, who had a dismal outing last time around, proved his worth with a 21-point showing built on 19 attacks and two aces. Joining the double-digit territory was Espejo, who tallied 13 points.
With the win, a Round of 16 berth suddenly became visible on the horizon, at least for the Philippines.
Pool A action heads to a virtual knockout phase on Thursday, September 18, as a logjam at 1-1 was created across the Philippines, Iran, Egypt, and Tunisia.
"Hindi lang ako nakapag-contribute, nanalo pa kami. Doble-doble po saya kasi may chance pa kami maka-Round of 16," said Ordiales.