Alas Pilipinas Men will face several tough nations as the country hosts the 2025 FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship.
A tough road lies ahead for Alas Pilipinas Men following the 2025 FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship Draw of Lots on Saturday, September 14.
Alas Men coach Angiolino Frigoni candidly expressed his thoughts on the team’s upcoming challenge after being drawn into Pool A alongside Tunisia, Egypt, and Iran.
[ALSO READ: Alas Pilipinas Men drawn with Tunisia, Egypt, and Iran for 2025 FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship]
The Italian tactician, known to keep it straight and true, is realistic about the uphill battle his squad faces but remains optimistic about the long-term development of Philippine volleyball.
Frigoni did not shy away from acknowledging the tough road ahead for his team, which is currently ranked 64th in the world.
“I can say that for us, all teams are pretty difficult, but those two, they are not as difficult as Italy or Poland,” Frigoni told reporters after the draw. “But I have only two words to say today: big responsibility and big challenge.”
For the veteran coach, the upcoming World Championships are not just about the immediate outcomes on the court. Rather, he sees it as part of a larger effort to establish a competitive Philippine volleyball program.
“I’ve always said, even when the World Championship seemed far away, that for us, this isn’t the end of volleyball in the Philippines—it’s just the start. To build a strong team, you need years, not months,” Frigoni emphasized.
Despite the daunting draw, Frigoni remains steadfast in his belief that Alas Pilipinas Men can rise to the occasion.
He stresses that his primary expectation is for the team to compete fiercely in every match.
“My expectation is for us to do our best, to fight against everybody, and not to give up against anybody. The results will come, but we will see those after the World Championship,” Frigoni explained.
[ALSO READ: New coach Angiolino Frigoni makes honest assessment of Alas Pilipinas Men after nabbing first victory in SEA V.League]
While the Philippines will be hosting the tournament, which will take place from September 12 to 28, 2025, Frigoni is fully aware that the home crowd can be both a blessing and a burden.
He points out that while the support of the Filipino fans will be crucial, the players must also learn to handle the pressure.
“For the coaches and players, there will always be pressure. They have to get used to it,” he added.
Frigoni also made a heartfelt plea for local fans to rally behind their national team. Reflecting on past experiences, he noted that Filipino crowds have been supportive of visiting teams, sometimes even more than their own.
“I would like Filipinos to start being a little bit different—cheer for Filipinos, please. When we played against Japan, the crowd was cheering more for Japan than for us. You are Filipinos, cheer for Filipinos,” Frigoni urged.
With the World Championship now officially on the horizon, Frigoni is focused not just on the immediate challenge but on what the tournament represents for Philippine volleyball—a stepping stone toward greater success on the world stage.