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Angiolino Frigoni with Alas Pilipinas Men at the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News
MANILA — Alas Pilipinas Men's dream run at the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship might have ended, but their valiant fight on the international stage didn't go unnoticed, especially to their head tactician, Angiolino Frigoni.
Frigoni was beaming with pride as he saw his team almost complete an upset of World No. 16 Iran in Pool A of the 32-nation contest.
But as their Cinderella run struck midnight, he gave his players the well-deserved recognition and praises, adding thanks to the seventh man—the Filipino crowd.
READ: FIVB Worlds: Heartbreaker as gallant Alas Pilipinas Men fall to higher-ranked Iran
"I am very proud. I am very proud because we have improved a lot. We showed that we can play good volleyball. Thank you to all the fans who came here because they support us very much," the Italian mentor told reporters on Thursday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Frigoni described their "winning moment"-turned despair as a dream, but they eventually woke up from it.
True enough, the Nationals and the MOA Arena spectators, as well as fans who cheered from their homes, have already jumped in joy as Alas Men seemed to have finally won after a Kim Malabunga kill block.
READ: Na-Miss Universe? Marck Espejo still proud of Alas Men despite falling short vs. Iran
However, a successful net fault challenge from Team Iran took away all of that, as Malabunga was seen hitting the net on his way down.
Team Iran eventually won a Round of 16 berth, 25-21, 21-25, 25-17, 23-25, 20-22, concluding a five-set epic battle.
"I pity the way that we lost because we were in a dream, and they woke up just one point before the dream was finished," Frigoni said. "But that's the life, that's the life of the sport."
What makes the loss more painful is that it was a close fight that headed way beyond the 15-point mark in the fifth set—and they reached six match points.
"But I think that we play with skills, with power, with heart, with mind. I am happy with it. Just how they finish. I would prefer to finish this match losing a match 15-10 or 15-8, or 15-7. This way is very, very painful. By the way, I am very proud of them. Very proud of them."
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