Philippine squad stuns Egypt, ranked 21st, to secure a historic victory at the FIVB World Championships
Philippines' Alas Pilipinas Stuns World No. 21 Egypt in Historic FIVB Volleyball Win
In a shocking upset, the underdog team Alas Pilipinas claimed victory over world No. 21 Egypt in the FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship. This was the first time Alas Pilipinas had ever won on the world stage, marking a historic moment for Philippine volleyball.
The game, played on September 16, 2020, at the Mall of Asia Arena, saw a thrilling four-set battle. Alas Pilipinas started the game strongly, gaining momentum from a block by veteran Kim Malabunga and an ace by young opposite spiker Leo Ordiales. The team, coached by Italian trainer Angiolino Frigoni for 16 months, maintained their lead throughout the first set, ending it with a score of 29-27.
In the second set, Egypt fought back, levelling the score at 1-1 with a 25-23 win. The third set was a close affair, but Alas Pilipinas managed to edge ahead, securing a 25-21 victory and taking a 2-1 lead in the match.
The fourth set saw a quick 4-0 surge by Alas Pilipinas, leading 17-14 after being behind 14-13. An emphatic block point by Marck Espejo ended the fourth frame, securing a 25-21 win for Alas Pilipinas and the match.
Young opposite spiker Leo Ordiales was named the man of the match, with 21 points. Captain Bryan Bagunas had a game-high 25 points, while veteran mainstays Marck Espejo and Kim Malabunga contributed 13 and 7 points, respectively. Combined, Espejo and Malabunga accounted for 5 of the team's 11 blocks.
Star setter Owa Retamar tallied 40 excellent sets, orchestrating the team's impressive performance. Italian head coach Angiolino Frigoni expressed immense joy over the team's victory, stating that every team has a story. He was pleased with the team's performance, stating they played the kind of volleyball that makes it difficult for opponents.
Frigoni was also happy to see the team's improvement over the past 16 months, stating that he had seen the team improve their play during his tenure. He expressed his excitement for the future, as Alas Pilipinas now ranks world No. 77 after their historic victory.
World No. 14 Iran will cautiously await the host nation, Alas Pilipinas, on Thursday, September 18, at 5:30 pm, at the Mall of Asia Arena. The Philippine team will look to continue their winning streak and make further history in the FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship.
