LEO Ordiales was a head-turner not many saw coming in Alas Pilipinas Men’s landmark run at the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship last September.
No longer operating in the shadows of seasoned veterans Bryan Bagunas and Marck Espejo, the 22-year-old National University sophomore spiker announced his arrival on the world stage with one breakout performance after another in pool play.
READ: Leo Ordiales was 'forced' into volleyball. Look where he is now
Ordiales normed 14.67 points (44 total) built on 13.33 attack points at a 55.56 percent success rate, plus one ace and 0.33 blocks across three outings.
He took matters into his own hands with an unforgettable 21-point explosion in the four-set stunner over nine-time African champion Egypt.
With that dream run now in the rearview, Ordiales chooses to keep things cool, calm and collected as the stakes rise once again at the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.
“Sa’kin naman, kinakalmahan ko lang. Hindi ko muna pine-pressure ‘yung sarili ko. Bini-build ko muna kung paano ko i-handle ‘yung ganung pressure,” Ordiales said.
“Pine-prepare ko na ‘yung sarili ko para sa mga tough games at crucial games, na kapag pangit ‘yung start ng game, paano ako mag-adjust at paano ko ibabalik ‘yung laro ko.”
In the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia, where the Philippines placed fifth, Ordiales was already part of the national pool under Sergio Veloso but did not yet emerge as the impact scorer he has since become under current head coach Angiolino Frigoni.
Fearsome threesome incoming
This year, with the Bagunas-Espejo tandem on the lead line, Ordiales is expected to provide a steady torrent of points from the right wing, forming what could just be one of the most dangerous scoring trios in the region.
Through months, and arguably years, of waiting for his breakthrough moment, Ordiales learned the value of keeping his cool when the lights are at their brightest.
“Mas naging matured na ako sa paglalaro at mas marunong nang mag-handle ng pressure,” he said.
“[Hindi ko lang] kakalimutang ikalma ‘yung sarili at ‘wag tataasan masyado ‘yung expectations para hindi gaano ma-pressure ‘yung sarili.”
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