IT wasn’t just a matter of the Bulgarian squad skyrocketing to stardom for Filipino fans in their first trip to local shores for the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship.
The humble European nation sent a resounding statement to the rest of the world - just as loud as the cheers they’ve so far received through it all.
At the heart of the global conclave’s biggest surprise package are the Nikolov brothers in ace spiker Aleks and fast-rising setter Moni.
Aleks, 21, is the tournament’s runaway scoring and spiking leader with 150 points and a 52.57-percent success rater.
Moni, 18, is already the second-best setter in a stacked field of seasoned playmakers with 34 excellent sets per match.
Sure, they’re still young and early into their world-class careers, but not once did they ever see themselves accelerate to once-unimaginable highs this fast and this soon.
Crowd darling Moni, for one, wasn’t the type to look too far ahead in life.
His demure and composed aura shines through whenever he faces the media or the legions of fans now backing him up.
And the same goes with his acumen that’s already beyond his years.
“When I was 10, younger me doesn’t really think about the future like that. Younger me knows that the dreams and the goals are going to come as long as you work for it,” Moni told SPIN.ph.
“I’m just acknowledging how much me and the team have worked to be here and it all starts to feel sweeter.”
As life in an illustrious sporting family taught him, Aleks would only wish for his young self to stay the course.
“If I had to tell him something, I would tell him to stick to the grind like he always did. He deserves what’s happening to him right now,” he shared with SPIN.ph.
“He put in a lot of work and he should be proud of what he achieved.”
Nikolovs feel the love
Plenty of things caught the Nikolov brothers by surprise in the world No. 9’s dream run.
Fan support was one thing, team growth was another, but the surprise visit of their heralded parents was what really took them aback.
Their dad Vladimir is arguably the greatest Bulgarian volleyball star to have ever donned their national tricolors, having led their last medal-winning team on the world stage in 2006.
Maya, their mom, was also a pro volleyball ace.
Having them witness some of the biggest matches and moments they’ll ever have after making the flight from nearly 10,000 hm away has been the cherry on top.
“They surprised me, actually. I didn’t know they were coming and it makes it even sweeter. I thank them for always having my back and it means a lot to have them watch the most important game of my life,” Aleks said.
“I’m glad he came to see that I beat him by at least one medal,” he added, referring to Vladimir’s bronze with Bulgaria in 2006.
“It doesn’t feel real at all. It’s weird. I can’t express my emotions right now. I’ve used so much energy in the tournament and I’m trying to preserve it a little bit but I’m super happy,” Moni added.
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