Alas Pilipinas' Leo Ordiales in action against Egypt on September 16, 2025. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News
MANILA — Leo Ordiales stayed true to his promise of bouncing back against Egypt at the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship.
Ordiales had a dismal performance in their tournament opener, only tallying two points as the Tunisians took the win, 13-25, 17-25, 23-25, in Pool A.
But the 6-foot-6 Negros Occidental native helped the Nationals in the best way possible, firing a whopping 21 points on 19 attacks and two aces, including the history-clinching ace that secured extended Set 1.
Ordiales brought in the much-needed firepower for Alas, going second to top-scorer Bryan Bagunas who had 25 points.
Alas Pilipinas completed a 29-27, 23-25, 25-21, 25-21 stunner over a higher-ranked Egypt on Tuesday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
READ: Alas Pilipinas Men make history, defeat Egypt for first-ever win in FIVB Worlds
The National U product said he just reset his mindset en route to this match.
"Sa 'kin po, after that game (Tunisia), reset lang ulit ako. Kumbaga mindset lang ulit na, 'yun lang din kailangan ko siguro," he said.
Ordiales said this was his way of redeeming himself: "Sobrang saya ko talaga, wala 'kong masabi, ayun lang, kasi na-redeem 'yung sarili ko at the same time nakakuha pa kami ng panalo."
Playing alongside mainstays Bagunas and Marck Espejo, Ordiales could not be happier, saying that he's just doing his job.
"Sa akin lang naman, kumbaga ginampanan ko lang kung ano 'yung binigay sa 'kin na role. Siyempre kumukuha rin naman ako ng mga idea sa [kanila]. Iniisip ko lang na kailangan ko din silang tulungan kasi hindi rin nila kaya na parang dalawa lang sila, 'yun lang iniisip ko lagi."
Ordiales and company have a chance to make more history as they battle Iran in a virtual knockout match on Thursday, September 18.
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