FIVB chief hopes Alas Pilipinas inspires Filipino youth

Alas Pilipinas Men’s short-lived yet magical run in the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championships served not only to present the progress of the sport in the country but also to inspire the youth to explore the sport even further.

FIVB president Fabio Azevedo hailed Alas’s performance in the tournament and hopes that they can inspire a new generation of youth in the country.

“They showed the world that it doesn’t matter if you’re a college player or a professional. What matters is what you bring to the field of play,” Azevedo said.

“To the young generation: be inspired by your national team,” he added. “Very soon, you can be playing in these big events all over the world. Sport has the power to bring people together.”

Bryan Bagunas, Joshua Retamar, Josh Ybanez, and Marck Espejo left it all on the court, showcasing heart and brilliance as they delivered standout performances across every department in the Alas Pilipinas Men’s remarkable run at the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship.#MWCH2025 pic.twitter.com/i6eR6G68HT

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) September 19, 2025

Azevedo also praised the country’s hosting recently, calling it a “ten out of ten”, despite low attendance records after Alas’ exit from the tournament following their loss to Iran.

Ticket prices were slashed 30% last week after criticism of the tournament’s ticket pricing, which originally ranged from P500 for general admission tickets to P1,000 for courtside seats.

“Every single detail was prepared. The venue, the branding, the fan engagement, it was Olympic international standard,” he said.

For Azevedo, the country’s hosting is an example of how Filipinos’ love for the sport extended into how they welcomed the international teams and fans.

“The Filipinos love our sport,” Azevedo said. “They are warm in welcoming everyone.”

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