Frigoni says SEA VLeague bronze just the start for Alas Pilipinas

Alas Pilipinas coach Angiolino Frigoni during the SEA VLeague first leg.–SAVA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — For Italian coach Angiolino Frigoni, earning a SEA VLeague first leg bronze medal in his Alas Pilipinas debut is a good start for the program.

In his debut last Friday, Alas gave Frigoni a winning start but he stressed that the program “is still very far from a high level” a year before its hosting and participation in the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship.

The Nationals dropped back-to-back games but still earned their first podium finish in the league after a winless stint last year.

READ: Alas Pilipinas’ Buddin, Malabunga hailed in SEA VLeague

Frigoni on Bagunas and his first stint with Alas. #SEAVLeague2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/rZRCN13VVW

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“It is a better start [to have a] bronze medal than start without a medal. But for me, we are just starting, we only played in this competition this year and to have a bronze medal in this competition is something good, and it’s something better than we don’t get it,” the 70-year-old Frigoni told reporters after Alas fell to unbeaten champion Thailand, 26-28, 14-25, 16-25, in the SEA VLeague first leg on Sunday evening at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

However, the two-time Olympic coach stressed that the young Philippine squad still has a lot to improve, taking their expectations to a higher level after winning bronze.

“But I am not thinking of the bronze, I am thinking of how to improve this team. To play in the next competition better together, and a better goal,” he added.

Frigoni said more than the skills, the Alas members should improve their mental toughness. 

“It is very difficult for these players to stay for three sets with the same intensity in the first set. They need experience,” the former world champion tactician said. “We played with a very young team, even when (Bryan) Bagunas was here, the oldest one is the middle blocker (Kim Malabunga). So, we need time. I don’t know if we will have enough time before the world championships, at least I want them to improve. We need more matches like this, matches like this to start and [build] this kind of endurance. Mental endurance is like physical endurance… We don’t have this endurance right now for one or the other.”

READ: Alas Pilipinas men ‘still very far’ from high level, admits coach

Frigoni lauded Alas’ defense but he also wants the players to “find a smarter way to make a point over tall blockers.”

In the second leg in Indonesia from Friday to Sunday, Alas is likely to lean on its young core led by 2nd Best Outside Spiker Buds Buddin, libero Josh Ybañez, Louie Ramirez, Leo Ordiales, Peng Taguibolos, and Noel Kampton as well as mainstays Owa Retamar and 2nd Best Middle Blocker Kim Malabunga.

Marck Espejo remains out for Alas, while Bryan Bagunas’ availability is still up in the air, following his knee injury during the end game of their four-set loss to Indonesia.