Italy’s Ferdinando de Giorgi backs Angiolino Frigoni to lead Alas Pilipinas: “Big experience, no need for advice”

Ferdinando de Giorgi knows exactly what kind of mentor Angiolino Frigoni is—because he once played under him.

Now, decades later, the two find themselves on opposite ends of the court at the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship, with Frigoni tasked to pull Alas Pilipinas out of a tough spot in Pool A.

Asked if he had any words of wisdom for his former coach, de Giorgi was quick to dismiss the idea. “Advice? No! Angiolino has big experience. No need for advice—only good luck,” the Italy coach said after leading his squad to a straight-sets victory over Algeria in Pool F on Sunday.

Their history runs deep. De Giorgi once orchestrated plays as a setter under Frigoni’s guidance at Acqua Paradiso Gabeca Montichiari in Italy’s professional league. 

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Italy head coach Ferdinando De Giorgi shared a special moment with Alas Pilipinas head coach Angiolino Frigoni, revealing that they were once teammates—both at club level and on the national team that won the World Championship in 1994. | via Luisa Morales/One Sports#MWCH2025 pic.twitter.com/9FiL6abvob

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) September 14, 2025

Frigoni also stood behind him on the national team bench during Italy’s golden run in the 1990s.

“Angiolino was my coach when I was a player—yes, in Montichiari. I say hello to Angiolino. He’s a very, very good coach, and also a friend,” de Giorgi recalled.

Those memories include some of Italian volleyball’s greatest triumphs.

“In Montichiari, it was in the Superliga, and also in the national team. We spent many, many years together—very important years. 

We won the World Championship in 1994 and the European Championship as well. Big memories, good memories,” he added.

For Alas Pilipinas, the task is straightforward but daunting: beat both Egypt and Iran to stay alive in the tournament. 

While the challenge seems uphill, de Giorgi has no doubt that Frigoni’s wealth of experience makes him the right man to try and steer the Filipinos through.

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