By MARK REY MONTEJO
Alas Pilipinas men’s team was “luckily” grouped with North Africa and Middle East countries during the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship draw on Saturday evening, Sept. 14, at Solaire Grand Ballroom in Parañaque City.
Iran, Egypt and Tunisia are ranked outside the Top 10 in the world, but the PH side remains the clear underdog and needs the nation’s unified prayer to produce miraculous results.
Winning against world No. 15 Iran, 20th-ranked Egypt and 7-time African champion and world No. 24 Tunisia would be like trekking the dangerous mountain of Annapurna I in Nepal.
But it would be a blessing for a country enjoying the sudden rise of volleyball if Alas could win even a single set
Still, for bringing the elite nations, including back-to-back Olympic champion France and reigning world champion Italy, in the two-week event that is likely to put the country in good light, the local organizers, led by Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) chief and recently-elected Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) president Ramon “Tats” Suzara deserve more than a commendation.
It was like winning an Olympic gold.
For one, this marked the first-ever hosting of a Southeast Asian country of this magnitude.
So expect fiesta-like atmosphere in both venues of the event — Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City and at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
“It will be historic as the LOC [Local Organizing Committee] represents a unique ensemble of active and passionate participation from various sectors such as Government, corporate, sports industry changemakers and trailblazers, and volunteers, all determined to deliver their best; all with hearts beating for the love of the game,” said Suzara said.
World No. 1 Poland plays in Pool B against Romania, Qatar and the Netherlands in the prestigious tournament set September 12 to 28 at the SM Mall of Asia and Smart Araneta Coliseum.
In Pool C, France, also the Volleyball Nations League champion, faces a tough early task against Korea, Finland and Argentina with the United States clashing with Colombia, Portugal and 2010 silver medalist Cuba in Pool D.
Slovenia was grouped with Chile, Bulgaria and 2014 bronze medalist Germany in Pool E while 2022 world champion Italy plays the preliminaries against Algeria, Belgium and Ukraine in Pool F.
Filipino fan favorite Japan is grouped with Libya, European league 2023 winner Turkiye and Canada in Pool G with Brazil, 2024 Challenge Cup winner China, Czech Republic and Serbia wrapping up Pool H.
Captains Nimir Abdel-Aziz of the Netherlands and Tine Urnaut of Slovenia and Asian legend Nootsara Komkom of Thailand, which will host the women’s world championship also next year led the Drawing of Lots for the 32 teams.
Only the top two teams from each pool will advance to the Round of 16 with the Philippines brimming confidence to deliver in front of a passionate home crowd
“For the first time ever, the World Championships will be held in the Philippines. They’re the first in Southeast Asia and for the first time ever, we will have the 32 best countries in your own soil,” FIVB general director Fabio Azevedo said. “Together, we will all have the best volleyball experience here—the passion and courage of all teams. We’re absolutely happy and grateful. I can assure you will all work hard to make this a great success and give all the fans in the globe the joy of our sport.”
“Far after the champions have been awarded, the lights have been turned off and the sports hall has been closed, It will be historic, memorable, and even meaningful, as the legacy of the World Championships will carry on in the form of programs to energize national teams of lower catergory federations; programs to empower the youth, as they start dreaming of making it in the sport; and programs to strengthen communities through sports education campaigns and entrepreneurial initiatives,” Suzara added.
Also highlighting the event was the official the turnover of the FIVB trophy to FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship 2025 Philippine Local Organizing Committee led by Co-Chairperson William Vincent Araneta Marcos and Senator Alan Peter Cayetano.
OPM legend Gary “Mr. Pure Energy” Valenciano capped the show with an electrifying sing and dance performance much to the cheers of the crowd made up of local and foreign officials, coaches and players led by the Alas Pilipinas men’s and women’s teams.
