ALAS Pilipinas lost a heartbreaking one but not the respect of its opponent.
After world No. 16 Iran escaped with a 21-25, 25-21, 17-25, 25-23, 22-20 decision over the Filipino spikers in their knockout duel in Pool A action last week, coach Roberto Piazza said Alas “deserved to be in the Round of 16” of the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship.
The glowing words from his counterpart should serve as proof of his charges’ progress with him at the helm, according to Alas tactician Angiolino Frigoni.
“You know, we are friends. All the coaches think that the improvement of the players depends on the coaches. I am one of them, but we just have to give them a way to do it and after that, it depends on them,” Frigoni said.
“There is no one player who does not want to be better. They are not better if they don’t get better, if they don’t want to be better,” he added.
Written off by armchair pundits before the start of the prestigious 32-team field, the Nationals showed they have what it takes after shocking Egypt 29-27, 23-25, 25-21, 25-21 last week for the country’s first-ever triumph in the worlds—right on its maiden stint.
While the numbing setback to the Iranians will be a big what-if—Alas nearly pulled off the triumph if not for a net touch violation by middle blocker Kim Malabunga in the fifth set—Frigoni could not be any prouder.
“You see them. I don’t have to tell you anything. You see them. Everybody saw them. How they fought. For that, I am proud because we never, never gave up,” he said. “Never. Even in the tiebreak when we won back three points and we continued to play.
“The SEA Games is in three months and we will see what happens.”
