The Alas Pilipinas Men in training. Instagram/Alas Pilipinas Volley
MANILA – Alas Pilipinas Men are banking on the experience they gained from their training camps in Europe, as they make a historic debut in the FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship this month.
The team had a three-month training camp in Morocco, Romania and Portugal as part of their buildup for the international competition.
Alas Pilipinas Men veterans Bryan Bagunas and Marck Espejo said the experience in Europe will be a big help for them as they face world-class squads this month.
READ: Veterans Bagunas, Espejo raring to represent PH after recovering from injuries
"Actually yung training camp namin sobrang lakin bagay na na-experience namin yung malalaking kalaban. Nangyari na napapaghandaan namin yung makakalaban namin sa pool namin sa World Championships," Bagunas told reporters at the MRT-3 Go Live event on Wednesday.
"Mahalaga po siya in terms of pinakita po sa amin paano talaga maglaro ng volleyball. I mean alam namin maglaro ng volleyball pero kailangan namin makita gaano kalahaga yung one point 'pag may rally," Espejo said.
He said during the training camp, Italian world champion coach Angiolino Frigoni emphasized the basics in volleyball.
Alas Pilipinas Men will face powerhouse Asian team Iran, World No. 23 Egypt and World No. 43 Tunisia in Pool A.
The Alas Pilipinas Men veterans believe all the squad in their pool are a threat, but Bagunas highlighted Iran as the team that will be tough to beat.
"Actually lahat naman sila alam naman natin sobrang lakas ng level. Pero feeling ko siyempre Iran. Iran talaga. Masasabi ko lahat mahirap, pero ta-try namin makapag-perform ng best namin," he shared.
Bagunas said the grind continues for the team, as they will have tune-up games against fellow FIVB teams leading up to the tournament.
Alas Pilipinas Men's first assignment in the tournament is Tunisia on September 12, followed by Egypt on September 16, then Iran on September 18.
The FIVB Men's World Championship will kick off on September 12 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Brazilian superstar Leila Barros will grace the finals on September 27 and 28.
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