Philippine men’s volleyball stakeholders and player pool during the FIVB Volleyball World Championships 2025 hosting press conference. –PNVF PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Alas Pilipinas will have its hands full for the next few months in a series of overseas training camps in Japan and Europe for its historic hosting and debut in the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship from September 12 to 28 at Mall of Asia Arena and Smart Araneta Coliseum,
The Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Tats Suzara divulged details on the scheduled e build-up for Alas, coached by world-class tactician Angiolino Frigoni on Thursday during the turnover of volleyball equipment from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan at their office in Taguig.
“There’s a training camp for them in Japan. We have also a training camp in Portugal, Spain, and Italy,” said Suzara, who is also the AVC president and FIVB Executive Vice President.
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“So my target here is for them to stay outside of the Philippines for the next three or four months.”
But the grind of the Philippine men’s volleyball team won’t stop when they fly back home in June as Suzara plans to arrange friendlies with South Korea, Japan, and one European team that will serve as a test event for the World Championship.
“We’re trying to arrange a pocket tournament against Korea, Japan, Philippines, and one European team. Test event na yun, 100 days to go before the World Championships,” he said.
Alas Pilipinas players EJ Casaña and Vince Lorenzo are elated to learn from world-class volleyball programs in their upcoming overseas build-up as they battle 11-time African champion Tunisia on opening day as well as Egypt and Iran in Pool A.
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“Sobrang excited and siyempre yung liga na parating yung World championship sobrang big opportunity po sa amin ng men’s volleyball na mapansin kami and ito po yung pagkakataon namin na mashowcase yung talents namin sa mga darating na training camps and liga, I know po na paghahandaan pa po namin lalo,” said Casaña, one of the setters of the national teams.
“Siyempre super excited kasi makakapunta kami sa iba’t ibang bansa para magtraining camp and para mas magjell pa lalo yung team namin para sa upcoming World Championship,” added libero Lorenzo.
Suzara said a Trophy Tour will take place in the first quarter of the year, bringing the FIVB crown to Ilocos Norte, Baguio, Pampanga, Cebu, Bacolod, and Zamboanga.
Tickets will start selling in two weeks, while all is set for the training venues at Rizal Memorial Coliseum, Ninoy Aquino Stadium, PhilSports Arena, and FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan as well as the accommodations for the 31 countries.
Alas women’s team members also assured that they will rally behind the historic appearance of the men’s squad in the World Championship.
“Proud kami sa kanila kasi it’s their moment and talagang grinab nila yung opportunity na ito na magpalakas and mashowcase yung talents nila. Kami naman todo support kami and nandito kami para magcheer sa kanila,” said Dawn Macandili-Catindig.
“Wishing them good luck lang sa upcoming games nila na sana mas bigyan pa sila ng opportunity kasi deserve nila yun,” added Thea Gagate.