Alas Pilipinas Men will head to Italy for a two-week training camp as part of their early preparations for the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship.
Alas Pilipinas Men are gearing up for a crucial two-week training camp in Italy as part of their early preparations for the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship.
Veteran middle blocker and team captain Kim Malabunga emphasized the importance of competing against high-caliber teams to push the squad to new heights.
“Mas okay kasi kung makaka-tuneup namin sa ibang bansa is malalakas talaga para kasi like same yung level ng ka-tuneup namin parang konti lang matutunan namin mas okay yung malakas,” Malabunga told reporters after World Championship Draw on Saturday, September 14.
Star outside hitter Buds Buddin echoed Malabunga's sentiment, sharing that the team will be taking their preparations one step at a time.
“Inuunti-unti namin. Sa Monday, aalis kami pa-Italy, may training camp kami [na] two weeks. More international leagues, training camps, tune-ups para mas maraming learnings bago mag-world championship,” said Buddin.
As part of their World Championship preparations, Alas Men is gearing up to face strong teams in Pool A, including world no. 15 Iran, 11-time African Championship winner Tunisia, and reigning African champion Egypt.
Malabunga acknowledged the challenge but remains optimistic.
“Yung naging draw ngayon sobrang nakaka-excite yung magiging game kasi ang lalakas nung mga kasama namin sa pool namin. Galingan namin sa parating na games next year, paghahandaan namin,” said Malabunga.
Buddin also spoke about the group stage and the daunting task ahead of them.
“Para sa akin naman, kahit sino naman siguro ka-bracket namin du'n, lahat naman sila anlalakas kaya super excited na makalaban 'yung team na 'yon,” said Buddin. “Siguro mas magwo-work hard kami para makasabay kami sa kung anong ipapakita nila--para sa Filipino fans and sa mga Filipino na sumusuporta sa'min.”
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Ranked 64th in the world, the Philippines will undoubtedly be the underdogs in the tournament. Despite this, Buddin believes that the lack of expectations from others will allow the team to play with more freedom and determination.
“Para sa akin, no pressure kasi alam naman natin na wala silang ine-expect sa 'min," said Buddin.
"Ine-expect nila matatalo kami so kung ano 'yung ite-train namin, during games, siguro ilalabas namin lahat para maipakita sa kanila na may ibubuga rin 'yung Philippines men's volleyball team dito sa atin and siguro maglaro kami nang maglaro para mag-improve pa kami, hindi lang para sa world championship, para sa pagdating ng SEA Games," he added.
With a huge opportunity given to the Philippines to host the biggest volleyball tournament in the world, both Malabunga and Buddin hope that their participation in the World Championship will inspire the next generation of Filipino volleyball players.
“Laking bagay yun para sa men’s volleyball sa Pinas kasi makikita ng mga susunod na players sa amin na may ganun palang liga na pwedeng makalaro yung mga Filipino and para pagsikapan nila na sumunod maging national team,” said Malabunga.
“Mas nakaka-inspire sa mga aspiring volleyball [players] ngayon,” Buddin added. “Siguro, 'yung mga bata na nangangarap, siguro mas maging inspired sila na maglaro para at least, sa susunod na panahon, sila naman 'yung makakapaglaro diyan.”
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