Alas victory dream come true, boost to sports tourism

By Jean Malanum, Philippine News Agency

FILE: Alas Pilipinas members whoop it up after beating world No. 22 Egypt, 29-27, 23-25, 25-21, 25-21, in the FIVB Men’s World Championship at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Tuesday (Sept. 16, 2025). It will go down in history as the first Philippine team to win a match at the Worlds. (Photo: PNA/Facebook)

MANILA – The historic victory of Alas Pilipinas at the FIVB Men’s World Championship on Tuesday night will elevate the landscape of Philippine volleyball.

“It was a dream come true,” Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham Tolentino said Wednesday, a day after the Philippines snatched its first-ever win in the FIVB Men’s World Championship after beating world No. 22 Egypt, 29-27, 23-25, 25-21, 25-21, at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Egypt is a nine-time African champion with a best finish of 13th place in the 2010 edition.

It has played 11 times in the Worlds and six times in the Olympics, including placing ninth in 2016 Rio de Janeiro.

“These men have etched their names in volleyball history and their victory would surely be an inspiration and motivation for the next generation to emulate as role models,” Tolentino said.

He noted that Philippine sports have gone elite, starting with Hidilyn Diaz Naranjo’s gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Carlos Yulo’s double gold performance in Paris last year.

“It’s all about setting goals and working very hard to achieve those goals. It was a long shot, we never aimed that high for Alas Pilipinas in this world championship, but they overachieved,” he said.

Tolentino commended the Philippine National Volleyball Federation “for this achievement and the support of the entire sports community in this success.

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“To build champions, it takes the entire community — the government, the Philippine Sports Commission, the private sector, the Filipino fans,” he added.

Thirty-one of the world’s best volleyball-playing nations, each with an entourage numbering close to 50 each, aside from accompanying family members and fans, are in town for the Worlds.

“Sports tourism and this is one solid platform to boost this campaign,” Tolentino said.