Alas Pilipinas Men ramp up Europe training for FIVB World Championship

The Alas Pilipinas Men are leaving no stone unturned as they gear up for the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship, which will be hosted right on Philippine soil. With the tournament set to be one of the biggest events in local volleyball history, the national team is on an intensive European training tour designed to sharpen their skills and build stronger chemistry.

From Morocco to Romania, and now to Portugal, the Nationals are immersing themselves in high-level training before heading back home for the prestigious 32-nation showdown. Standing tall among the squad is outside hitter Bryan Bagunas, who shared how Italian head coach Angiolino Frigoni has been putting the team through grueling yet rewarding sessions.

“Training here is intense in the morning and in the afternoon session, we focus on strength, conditioning and game systems,” Bagunas said.

 “We eat together, train hard together and push each other,” he added. “Coach Angiolino [Frigoni] has been pushing us to be disciplined and smart on the court, and I think that’s making a big difference in our preparation.”

🇵🇭ALAS PILIPINAS has arrived at Porto Airport in Portugal, marking the final stop in their series of training camps ahead of Volleyball Men’s World Championship.#Alaspilipinas pic.twitter.com/Z6Jz4HhACc

— AlasPilipinasVolley (@AlasPilipinasVB) August 18, 2025

The 6-foot-5 spiker, also one of the official ambassadors of the upcoming World Championship, emphasized how the team is finding its identity through a mix of seasoned leaders and energetic newcomers.

“We have a great balance of veterans who bring experience and leadership, and younger players who bring energy and fresh perspectives,” Bagunas noted.

Bagunas is joined by familiar faces from the 2019 Southeast Asian Games silver medal run—Marck Espejo, Kim Malabunga, Owa Retamar, and Jack Kalingking—alongside rising names like Steven Rotter, Lloyd Josafat, JP Bugaoan, Louie Ramirez, and Vince Lorenzo.

The roster also boasts a wave of young talent in Leo Ordiales, Buds Buddin, Peng Taguibolos, Josh Ybañez, Kennedy Batas, Jade Disquitado, Eco Adajar, John Michael Paglaon, and Ike Andrew Barilea, complemented by Filipino-foreign players Elijah Tae-Yin Kim and Lucca Mamone. Together, they are blending experience with raw firepower, hoping to deliver a strong showing on home court.

Fans eager to witness history can already secure their seats, with tickets to the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship—scheduled from September 12 to 28 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena and Smart Araneta Coliseum—now available at www.philippineswch2025.com.

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