ONE last hurdle stands in the way of Alas Pilipinas from extending mission impossible in the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship.
By routing nine-time African champion Egypt, the Philippines forged a four-way tie in the new ‘group of death’ of the global conclave at 1-1 (win-loss) entering Thursday’s pool play finale.
POOL A FINALE SCHEDULE
- Egypt vs. Tunisia: Sep. 18 | Thursday | 1:30 p.m. | Mall of Asia Arena
- Philippines vs. Iran: Sep. 18 | Thursday | 5:30 p.m. | Mall of Asia Arena
Unlike the other groups with complex tiebreaking scenarios, Pool A offers a rather straightforward path to the Round of 16.
Here’s how Alas Pilipinas can add another historic chapter to its world stage debut.
Philippines advances to Round of 16 with win vs Iran
On paper, Alas’ road to an unprecedented World Championship knockout stage appearance is as simple as scoring one more win.
The team they’ll have to beat, however, won’t offer a cakewalk by any means.
The Nationals must take down Iran, reigning three-time Asian Games champion and the highest-ranked Asian team still in contention in the tournament.
Slightly opening the door for a major breakthrough is the absence of Iran’s formidable one-two spiker-setter punch of Amin Esmaeilnezhad, tagged as Asia’s best opposite hitter, and former Asian best setter Javad Karimi.
READ: Iran will be Alas Men's biggest hurdle in FIVB Worlds group stage
Without their star pair, Iran has leaned on yet another towering tandem in ace wingers Poriya Hossein Khanzadeh and Ali Hajipour who are ninth and 11th in the group stage scoring list, respectively.
“I already said to the guys on the court immediately after the final ball, we have to do another step. It’s not enough what we did until now,” Iran head coach Roberto Piazza said.
“I prefer to put the focus on my team and we have to be quiet but so determined.”
Standing at the frontlines of another upset bid is a fearsome threesome in captain Bryan Bagunas, Marck Espejo and Leo Ordiales who combined for 59 points in the win against Egypt.
“I don’t know where we’ll be [tomorrow], even with how stable we were [against Egypt]. You have to understand that because today we beat Egypt, and we are the best team in the world, no,” said Alas head coach Angiolino Frigoni.
“We are the same team as before that sometimes plays very good, sometimes not very good. We have to get stable on this level to try to compete.”
And so, it’s win or go home for a Philippine team reaching for the stars with the Filipino faithful watching on.
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