LIVE: Alas Pilipinas vs Iran - FIVB Men's World Championship 2025
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LIVE: Alas Pilipinas vs Iran – FIVB Men’s World Championship 2025

/ Updated as of: 11:10 PM September 18, 2025

LIVE UPDATES: Alas Pilipinas looks to advance to the round-of-16 when it takes on Iran in the FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship.

  • Alas Pilipinas faces another highly-favored team in World No. 15 Iran in its final pool phase assignment in the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championships.
  • Currently 1-1 in pool A, the Philippines is looking to book its place in the round-of-16 of the tournament.

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Bagunas draws pride from Alas Pilipinas’ run despite heartbreak

Bryan Bagunas after Alas Pilipinas after lost to Iran in the FIVB Men's World Championship pool phase. The Filipinos bow out of the tournament.

Alas Pilipinas star Bryan Bagunas during their game against Iran in the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines —Alas Pilipinas’ campaign in the FIVB Men’s World Championship may have ended in heartbreak, but Bryan Bagunas is holding his head high.

The Philippine men’s volleyball national team continued to prove its worth, even in the 21-25, 25-21, 17-25, 25-23, 22-20 loss to Iran on Wednesday, going toe-to-toe against the No. 15 team in the world, and even nearly snatching the win away.

In fact, Bagunas and the team even got a chance to celebrate before the supposed game-winning block of Kim Malabunga was called for a net fault net fault challenge that allowed Iran to pull away with the spot in the Round of 16.

Kim Malabunga shoulders blame in Alas Pilipinas’ loss to Iran

Alas Pilipinas after losing to Iran in the FIVB Men's World Championship pool phase. The Filipinos bow out of the tournament

Alas Pilipinas after losing to Iran in the FIVB Men’s World Championship pool phase. The Filipinos bow out of the tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Kim Malabunga thought he had just sealed the biggest win in Philippine men’s volleyball history. Instead, he walked off the court carrying the weight of one of the sport’s toughest heartbreaks.

And he faced the prospect of dealing with agonizing what-ifs.

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With 14,240 fans on their feet at Mall of Asia Arena, Malabunga’s block on Ali Haghparast appeared to send Alas Pilipinas into the round of 16 at the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship.

Players roared. The crowd erupted.

Iran challenged the play.

IN PHOTOS: Alas Pilipinas bows to Iran, falls short in Round of 16 bid

WATCH: Alas Pilipinas players react to heartbreaking loss vs Iran

Alas Pilipinas loses heartbreaker to Iran, bows out of FIVB Worlds

Alas Pilipinas after losing to Iran in the FIVB Men's World Championship pool phase. The Filipinos bow out of the tournament.

Alas Pilipinas after losing to Iran in the FIVB Men’s World Championship pool phase. The Filipinos bow out of the tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Alas Pilipinas’ once-in-a-lifetime stint in the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship ended in heartbreak.

Iran capitalized down the stretch, completing a comeback to stun Alas Pilipinas and its home crowd, 25-21, 21-25, 25-17, 23-25, 22-20, in front of the tournament’s biggest attendance at Mall of Asia Arena on Thursday.

LIVE: Alas Pilipinas vs Iran – FIVB Men’s World Championship 2025

The Filipino Spikers thought they had clinched the victory and even celebrated what looked like Kim Malabunga’s match-winning block. But Iran challenged the play, and the review showed Malabunga had made contact with the net.

LIVE UPDATES: Alas Pilipinas vs Iran (pool A)

  • FINAL: Alas Pilipinas falls short of reaching the round of 16 after a 25-21, 21-25, 25-17, 23-25, 20-22 loss to Iran in the pool phase.
  • Iran regains match point, 21-20.
  • Bagunas saves a point and Alas Pilipinas ties the game, 20-20.
  • Iran takes the match point, 20-19.
  • Net fault for Kim Malabunga after a successful challenge from Iran. We’re tied at 19.
  • Bryan Bagunas with a monster block! Alas again with the lead, 19-18, in Set 5.
  • Leo Ordiales service error. 18-all.
  • Bryan Bagunas off the block! Alas leads 18-17 in Set 5! Match point again.
  • Iran saves another one. 17-all.
  • Iran service error. Alas Pilipinas leads, 17-16.
  • Leo Ordiales for the match point, 16-15.
  • Iran ties it anew, 15-all.
  • Net touch Iran! Alas Pilipinas at match point, 15-14.
  • Buds Buddin service error. Set 5 tied at 14.
  • Owa Retamar 1-2 play! Alas Pilipinas at match point, 14-13.
  • Hajipour equalizes it for Iran, 13-all.
  • Iran service error. Alas Pilipinas holding on to 13-12 lead.
  • Poriya off the block. Tied game at 12.
  • Bryan Bagunas gives alas a 12-11 lead.
  • Another monster block! Alas Pilipinas ties it, 10-all, in Set 5!
  • Monster block by Leo Ordiales! Alas within one, 9-10.
  • Bryan Bagunas cuts down the deficit to two, 8-10.
  • Marck Espejo service error. Iran with a 10-6 lead.
  • Marck Espejo stops the bleeding for Alas. Iran leads, 8-5.
  • Iran takes a 7-4 advantage in Set 5 after a monster hit from Poriya.
  • Leo Ordiales blocked. Iran with a 6-4 advantage.
  • Leo Ordiales with a monster hit! Game tied at 4-4.
  • Bryan Bagunas with a service fault. Iran leads 4-3.
  • Alas Pilipinas ties at 3-3 after a point from Malabunga.
  • Leo Ordiales ties the fifth set with his second point, 2-2.
  • SET 5! HERE WE GO. Iran takes the first point after a service error from Espejo.
  • END OF SET 4: Iran 25, Alas Pilipinas 23. Iran forces a decider.
  • Leo Ordiales saves a point, 23-24.
  • Iran at set point, 24-22.
  • Poriya gives Iran another two-point lead, 23-21.
  • Bryan Bagunas scores to cut it down to one, 21-22
  • Poriya gives Iran a 22-20 breather in Set 4.
  • Leo Ordiales with cross court hit! Alas Pilipinas within one, 19-20
  • Iran, looking to extend this game, takes a 19-17 lead.
  • Bryan Bagunas with a kill, Iran responds. The Iranians lead 18-16.
  • Iran takes a 17-15 lead after an ace.
  • Bryan Bagunas ties Set 4 at 14 after back-to-back kills.
  • Iran takes a 13-11 lead after that block on Ordiales.
  • Alas Pilipinas saves that play, Marck Espejo finishes! 11-10 lead for Alas Pilipinas.
  • Leo Ordiales scores! Alas Pilipinas 10-9.
  • Marck Espejo block! And Alas Pilipinas takes the lead, 9-8.
  • Bryan Bagunas with an ace! Alas Pilipinas only down 8-7.
  • Now an 8-5 lead for the Iranians in Set 4.
  • Iran pulls ahead, 7-5, after an error from Alas Pilipinas.
  • Iran takes the lead, 4-3.
  • Alas Pilipinas with a 2-1 lead to start Set 4.
  • END OF SET 3: Alas Pilipinas, 25, Iran, 17. Espejo clinches the set to regain the lead, 2-1.
  • Kim Malabunga sends Alas Pilipinas to set point, 24-17.
  • Another service fault from Iran. 23-15 lead for Alas Pilipinas.
  • Kim Malabunga continues to step up. Alas Pilipinas, 22-14.
  • Iran trying to get back into the game, trims Alas Pilipinas lead to 20-14.
  • Peng Taguibolos quick attack! Alas, 19-12.
  • Monster block by Owa Retamar! Alas Pilipinas leads, 18-11.
  • Alas Pilipinas takes a 16-11 lead after an ace from Kim Malabunga!
  • Leo Ordiales ace! Alas pulling away, 13-9.
  • Bryan Bagunas off speed! 12-9 advantage for Alas.
  • Bryan Bagunas starting to catch fire here! 10-9 for Alas Pilipinas.
  • Josh Ybanez sets up Bryan Bagunas for the monster hit! Alas Pilipinas leads 9-8.
  • Leo Ordiales quick attack. Alas Pilipinas leads 8-7.
  • Marck Espejo monster block! Alas Pilipinas with a 7-6 lead to start the third set.
  • Iran takes the lead, 6-5, but Leo Ordiales down the line! Tied game again at 6-all.
  • But Iran quickly ties it at 5-5 after an error from Marck Espejo.
  • Early 5-3 lead for Alas Pilipinas.
  • Bryan Bagunas scores! 2-1 lead for Alas Pilipinas in Set 3.
  • END OF SET 2: Iran 25, Alas Pilipinas 21. The Iranians tie the game to one set apiece.
  • Leo Ordiales saves a point. Alas Pilipinas down, 21-24
  • Mohammad quick attack. Iran with a 22-19 lead.
  • But Iran inching closer to a Set 2 win, takes a 21-18 lead.
  • Leo Ordiales from the back row! Alas down by just one, 18-19
  • Kim Malabunga monster block! Alas Pilipinas within two, 17-19. Iran calls a timeout.
  • Alas Pilipinas still playing catch up, down 18-15, after a hit from Ordiales.
  • Iran pulling away with a 16-13 lead.
  • Bryan Bagunas’ hit sails out. Iran’s lead back to 3, 14-11.
  • Alas Pilipinas within striking distance, 12-11, in set 2.
  • Leo Ordiales and Bryan Bagunas make it a one-point deficit, 11-10.
  • Bryan Bagunas cuts Iran’s lead down to two, 10-8.
  • Iran controlling set 2, leads 8-4.
  • Iran with an ace for a 6-3 lead! Coach Frigona calls a timeout for Alas Pilipinas.
  • Leo Ordiales service error gives Iran a 4-2 advantage.
  • Peng Taguibolos with his first point! Alas Pilipinas trails 2-1.
  • Set 2 underway. Iran gets the first point.
  • Espejo and Ordiales have five points each after the opening set.
  • END OF SET 1: Alas Pilipinas 25, Iran 21. Espejo clinches the set with a block.
  • Leo Ordiales sends alas to set point, 24-21.
  • Iran cuts it down to two, 23-21.
  • Iran trims Alas Pilipinas lead to 23-20 after an ace from Poriya.
  • Another error from Iran. Alas Pilipinas two points away from Set 1 win, 23-18.
  • Leo Ordiales with another one as Alas Pilipinas continues to pull away, 21-17.
  • Marck Espejo makes it 20-17 for the Philippines.
  • Leo Ordiales super spike! Alas Pilipinas up, 19-16.
  • Bryan Bagunas with a block to extend it to an 18-14 lead, Alas Pilipinas’ biggest so far.
  • Leo Ordiales continues to heat up. Alas Pilipinas still in the lead, 16-14.
  • Leo Ordiales drills a massive cross court. Alas Pilipinas, 15-13.
  • Marck Espejo scores! 13-11 lead for Alas Pilipinas.
  • Regalo ni Owa Retamar! Alas Pilipinas, 12-10.
  • Bryan Bagunas! 10-9 lead for the Philippines.
  • Hajipour ties it for Iran, 9-9.
  • Leo Ordiales scores his first point. Alas Pilipinas, 9-7.
  • Back to back points from Hajipour and Morteza. Iran trails 8-7.
  • Iran commits its sixth error. Alas Pilipinas still ahead, 8-5
  • Kim Malabunga ace! Alas Pilipinas continues to lead Iran, 6-3.
  • Marck Espejo down the line! Alas Pilipinas, 4-2.
  • Another service error for Iran. 3-1 lead for Alas Pilipinas.
  • 1-0 lead for Alas Pilipinas after a service fault from Iran.
  • Alas Pilipinas starters vs Iran: Bryan Bagunas, Owa Retamar, Kim Malabunga, Marck Espejo, Peng Taguibolos, Leo Ordiales, and Josh Ybanez.

SCHEDULE: 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship

September 18, Thursday – Mall of Asia Arena

  • 5:30pm – Philippines (Alas Pilipinas) vs Iran

FULL SCHEDULE:  2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship

SCORES: 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship – September 18

Iran coach apologizes ahead of key clash with Alas Pilipinas

Iran players celebrate after scoring a point against Tunisia in the FIVB Men's World Championship.

Iran players celebrate after scoring a point against Tunisia in the FIVB Men’s World Championship. – MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Iran coach Roberto Piazza apologized in advance to host Alas Pilipinas ahead of their important duel on Thursday at Mall of Asia Arena.

Iran turned to the tandem of Poriya Khanzadeh and Morteza Sharifi to stay in contention in Pool A after turning back Tunisia, 23-25, 25-20, 25-23, 25-16, on Tuesday, tying their victim at 1-1 and forcing a wide-open race in Pool A for the two tickets to the round of 16.

Piazza, an Italian who was also in Manila during the Volleyball Nations League with his former team, felt sorry for needing the win against Alas on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. in order to advance to the next round.

“Sorry. I can say sorry because I would like to play against another team and not against the Philippines because it’s the host of the World Championship,” Piazza told reporters.

Marck Espejo creates iconic moment for Alas Pilipinas program

True to his name, Marck Espejoprovides a perfect reflection of the national team’s success.

True to his name, Marck Espejo provides a perfect reflection of the national team’s success. —MARLO CUETO

Marck Espejo sprinted toward his teammates, thrusting a single finger skyward—a simple motion for a national team standout, but a reflection of the national program’s triumph.

How apt, considering Espejo’s name is Spanish for mirror.

“For the Philippines, which probably started from the bottom, this is a huge achievement,” Espejo said late Tuesday evening. “It’s a major milestone, and I’m really happy I got to be part of this history.”

Espejo then leaped with a clenched fist and a roar that echoed through the arena, shades of Michael Jordan’s iconic celebration after his 1989 game-winning shot to lift the Chicago Bulls’ in a classic Game 5 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Alas Pilipinas’ strong connection fuels Owa Retamar in Egypt upset

Bryan Bagunas and Alas Pilipinas celebrate a point against Egypt in the FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship

Alas Pilipinas’ Owa Retamar, Bryan Bagunas and Kim Malabunga celebrate a point against Egypt in the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIREr.net

MANILA, Philippines — Owa Retamar unloaded 40 excellent sets to make the most of Alas Pilipinas’ offensive wealth, helping achieve a historic win in the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship.

Retamar utilized Bryan Bagunas and Marck Espejo’s world-class talents anew and powered Leo Ordiales’ bounce back performance as the Philippines stunned Egypt,  29-27, 23-25, 25-21, 25-21, on Tuesday at Mall of Asia Arena.

“Coach Angiolino (Frigoni) always reminds me to focus on ‘who is scoring’—that’s the number one thing I keep in mind. Whoever’s putting up points, that’s who I prioritize,” said Retamar in Filipino. “Then I work around that and get everyone involved. Thankfully, everyone really played well, and our connection as a team was strong.”

Egypt coach praises Alas Pilipinas’ clear mindset in upset win

Egypt coach Marco Bonitta during the team's game against Alas Pilipinas in the FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship

Egypt coach Marco Bonitta during the team’s game against Alas Pilipinas in the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER. net

MANILA, Philippines — Egypt coach Marco Bonitta lauded Alas Pilipinas for having a “great clear mind” en route to its first-ever win in the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship.

Bonitta, who faced his fellow Italian coach, Angiolino Frigoni, was all praise for the host Philippines after his higher-ranked African champion team was upset, 29-27, 23-25, 25-21, 25-21, on Tuesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

“Congratulations to the Philippine team because they played an amazing, constant match, especially on serve, blocking, and defense,” said Bonitta.

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