GEARING up for the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championships next month, the Alas Pilipinas national men’s volleyball team bolsters its preparations with a series of intensive training camps in Europe.
Led by coach AngiolinoFrigoni, the team left Tuesday for Morocco, the first stop of their three-country European training camp.
Veterans MarckEspejo, Bryan Bagunas, and Kim Malabunga, along with rising stars OwaRetamar, Buds Buddin, Leo Ordiales, Louie Ramirez, Steven Rotter, and Josh Ybanez, led the team.
Completing the squad are Jade Disquitado, Kennedy Batas, Jack Kalingking, Eco Adajar, Peng Taguibolos, and Lloyd Josafat.
After their Morocco trip, the nationals proceed to Romania and Portugal to boost their preparations for the World Championships from Sept. 12 to 28.
Last month, the Filipino spikers fell short in their bid to gain a podium finish in the 5th Southeast Asia (SEA) V.League, winding up fourth in two legs of the regional meet.
In the World Championships, the Filipino spikers, currently ranked No. 77 in FIVB World rankings, will be up against No. 13 Iran, No. 23 Egypt and No. 40 Tunisia, in Group A of the competition.
The Philippines will be the lone host of the World Championships, the country’s first hosting of the event, with 32 nations participating at the SM Mall of Asia Arena and Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The nationals open their campaign against Tunisia on Sept. 12 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
After that, the nationals will have a three-day respite and resume their bid on Sept. 16 against Egypt before clashing with Iran on the 18th at the same venue.
