ALAS Pilipinas was drawn into a “pretty difficult” pool as the year-long countdown to the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship hosted by the Philippines got off to a rousing and scintillating start in a glitzy ceremony at the Solaire Resort Grand Ballroom last Saturday.

“This is for the Philippines and Filipino fans,” Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Ramon “Tats” Suzara told a big audience of FIVB and Philippine sports officials, representatives from the embassies of the 32-nation world championships, stakeholders, athletes and coaches.

“This is (also) for Asia,” added Suzara, who made special mention of the Women’s World Championship that Thailand is hosting in August next year—ahead of the September 12 to 28 men’s worlds—and the World Beach Championships in Australia in 2025.

“It’s big year for Asia, and me as president of AVC,” said Suzara, who was elected president of the Asian Volleyball Confederation two weeks ago in Bangkok. “We like to work hard on this, that Asia can do it for a world championship next year.

“Let’s work hard and I’m very proud for the Filipinos to host this first-ever world championship for the first time,” he added.

The hard work began, not only for the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) but especially for the national men’s team Alas Pilipinas.

“Pretty difficult,” said Angiolino Frigoni, the Italian head coach of Alas Pilipinas whose credentials include coaching Italy in the 1992 BArcelona and 200o Sydney Olympics.

“It’s a big responsibility and a big challenge,” added Frigoni as he stressed the importance of the Philippines being the solo host and at the same time pressed to perform well in the championship.

The Philippines was grouped in Pool A with 11-time African champion Tunisia, current Africa titlist and Paris Olympians Egypt and 2024 Asian championship runner-up Iran during the draw ceremony graced by LOC co-chairs William Vincent Araneta Marcos and Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, who formally received the world championship Trophy from FIVB General Director Fabio Azevedo.

World No. 1 Poland was in Pool B with Romania, Qatar and The Netherlands, while Volleyball Nations League champion France was grouped in Pool C with Korea, Finland and Argentina; the United States in Pool D with Colombia, Portugal and 2010 silver medalist Cuba; Slovenia in Pool E with Chile, Bulgaria and 2014 bronze medalist Germany; 2022 world champion Italy in Pool F with Algeria, Belgium and Ukraine; Libya, European league 2023 winner Turkiye and Canada in Pool G; and Brazil, 2024 Challenge Cup winner China, Czech Republic and Serbia in Pool H.

LOC members Sen. Pia Cayetano, Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino and Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richard Bachmann were also in attendance in the glamorous ceremony that Gary Valenciano capped with an energetic and awesome performance that mesmerized the audience.

In all, 32 teams, including the Philippines, will fight for the throne.

Venues will be the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City and the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.