BRYAN Bagunas is expected to rejoin Alas Pilipinas just in time for the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship from Sep. 12 to 28 on home soil.
National team trainer and Cignal coach Dexter Clamor allayed fears on Bagunas’ possible absence from the global conclave six months into his ongoing rehabilitation from an undisclosed left knee injury.
However, the Philippines' top spiker, he said, will most likely miss Alas’ oncoming stint in the inaugural 2025 AVC Men’s Champions League in May in Japan.
“I’m not sure din kung makakalaro siya sa AVC (Champions League) pero definitely, makakalaro siya sa World Championship sa September,” Clamor said during the team’s Spikers’ Turf media day activities on Monday.
Bagunas' left knee buckled during a jump serve attempt on the final play of Alas Men’s four-set loss to Indonesia in their home leg of the 2024 Southeast Asian (SEA) V.League.
He was stretchered off the court and went on to miss club duties both with Cignal in the Spikers’ Turf and with his Taiwanese club WinStreak.
While there is pressure to keep Alas Men’s offense as sharp as can be with the best available stars, the single utmost priority for Clamor is to see his top gun in peak shape and full fitness again — no matter how long it takes.
The best case scenario would be to have Alas' current scoring aces Marck Espejo, Jau Umandal and Buds Buddin play along with Bagunas than in his absence.
‘Yun naman ang importante. Lahat naman naghihintay kay Bryan (Bagunas). Ang importante, makalaro siya na healthy siya,” said Clamor.
“Mahirap din naman kasing biglain si Bryan. Hintayin na lang natin and suportahan na lang natin siya sa pinagdadaanan niya ngayon.”
Alas Men was drawn to Pool A of the global conclave's group stage along with continental powerhouses Iran, Egypt and opening-day foe Tunisia on Sep. 12 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
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