LEO Ordiales has come a long way from his hometown of Talisay, Negros Occidental to the world stage.
National University’s champion opposite hitter redeemed himself in world-class fashion by turning a dismal two-point debut in the loss to Tunisia into an explosive 21-point night in Alas’ historic 29-27, 23-25, 25-21, 25-21 win over Egypt on Tuesday.
READ: Mission Possible? Alas plays Iran in FIVB Worlds do-or-die match
With the Philippines parading its veteran Marck Espejo-slash-Bryan Bagunas duo, the FIVB Worlds bore witness to the country’s fast-rising third star in the 22-year-old winger.
But not known to many was how he wasn’t even interested in playing volleyball at first.
Shortly after the most important performance of his young career yet against Egypt, Alas’ man of the hour bared how his path to the sport was influenced by their family’s desire to breed a sibling duo of athletes.
“Parang pinilit lang ako dati ng ate ko eh na mag-volleyball,” Ordiales shared with SPIN.ph.
“‘Yung isa akong ate na si Jessa, naglalaro ng volleyball. Eh siyempre, gusto ng pamilya namin na mag-sports kami lahat kasi lahat kaming magkakapatid, may sports.
“In-encourage lang ako ng kapatid ko hanggang sa tuloy-tuloy na,” he added, referring to his sister Jessa who played for the De La Salle Lady Spikers and was selected 18th overall by Cignal in the 2025 PVL Draft.
From breaking ground at the 2019 Palarong Pambansa with Western Visayas to winning the UAAP juniors’ title with NU-Nazareth in Season 82, it wasn’t too tough an ordeal for Ordiales to accustom himself to the big stages in the metro.
“Hindi na rin ako nahirapan kasi matagal din ako sa NU, matagal ko na rin silang nakakasama at nakakalaban din,” Ordiales said.
“Sumabay na rin ako kung saan ako dinala ng sistema.”
With multiple accolades to his name, both in the local and international scene, Ordiales thanked his younger self not too many years ago for letting himself be convinced to take a path he once payed no mind to.
“Salamat dahil tinatagan mo dati. Ngayon, tignan mo kung saan na tayo nakarating ngayon,” he said.
“Matalo, manalo. haharapin natin ‘tong laban na ‘to.”
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