IRAN denied the Philippines’ pursuit of history in a 21-25, 25-21, 17-25, 25-23, 22-20 comeback win to advance to the Round of 16 of the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship.
Alas had the win locked for roughly a minute or so after six match points in the fifth-set tiebreak.
But once a late net touch challenge faulted Kim Malabunga's game-winning block, a historic victory quickly turned into one of Philippine sport's biggest what-ifs in recent memory, stunning the mammoth 14,240 crowd in attendance.
As such, the world No. 16 powerhouse side will be Asia’s lone representative to the knockout stage.
Iran will take on either Serbia or Czechia in the Round of 16 on Sep. 23, Tuesday, 8 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The reigning three-time Asian Games champion secured back-to-back playoff trips by blocking what would’ve been the host nation’s first.
Despite the early exit, it was still nothing short of an unforgettable FIVB Worlds debut for a Philippine team that took down African champion Egypt — a win that will leave an indelible mark in local sporting lore.
Bryan Bagunas topscored for the Nationals with 22 points on 18 attacks, three blocks and one ace.
Leo Ordiales impressed yet again with a 21-piece, ahead of Marck Espejo's 15-point outing and Malabunga's 10 markers.
“I am very proud. I am very proud because we improved a lot. We showed that we can play good volleyball. Thank you for all the fans that came here because they support us very much," said Alas Pilipinas head coach Angiolino Frigoni.
"Sobrang masakit po para sa 'min kasi nandun na po kami pero masaya pa rin po ako kasi naipakita ng team namin na kaya naming makipag-compete sa ganitong klaseng level ng tournament," captain Bagunas added.
Alas bows out from the grandest stage of men's volleyball as the first and only Philippine national volleyball team to have ever won a set and a match in the federation's 64-year history.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
