For the first time in FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship history, massive underdog Alas Pilipinas claimed a victory on the world stage after shocking world No. 22 Egypt, 29-27, 23-25, 25-21, 25-21, at the rocking Mall of Asia Arena on Tuesday, September 16.
Captain Bryan Bagunas went “Bazooka” mode anew, this time in victorious fashion, with a game-high 25 points, while star setter Owa Retamar tallied 40 excellent sets.
Young opposite spiker Leo Ordiales, however, shone as the man of the match, bouncing back and then some from a forgettable, error-filled Tunisia outing with 21 points to backstop Bagunas.
Veteran mainstays Marck Espejo and Kim Malabunga also had their share of the spotlight with 13 and 7 points, respectively, and combined for 5 of the team’s 11 blocks.
Expected to get walked over on paper, world No. 88 Philippines came out guns blazing from the opening serve, gaining a massive momentum boost from veteran middle blocker Malabunga with a first-set, point-clinching block, 28-27, and a booming Ordiales ace for the historic 29-27 set win.
The magic continued after an unexpected third-set breakaway, 25-21, and a quick 4-0 surge in the fourth frame to lead 17-14 from down 14-13 — capped with an emphatic Espejo block point at the very end that blew the roof off the arena.
“What I expected is to play this kind of volleyball. When you play this kind of volleyball, for all the opponents, it’ll be difficult to play against us,” beamed Italian head coach Angiolino Frigoni.
“This was not just for you and for the Filipinos, but this team was with me for 16 months, and I saw how they improved their play. I was waiting for them to win one match to show everybody how we improved in these 16 months. That happened today. I’m very happy for it.”
“I am 71 and I went to how many World Championships, but every team has a story. Every team has a background, and for me, I had to lay down on the floor because I was so happy.”
With Alas — now world No. 77 after the historic victory — throwing world rankings’ importance out the window, world No. 14 Iran now cautiously awaits the host nation on Thursday, September 18, 5:30 pm, still at the Mall of Asia Arena.
