Camille Naredo

Article (news)

fivb

John Franklin Kennedy Caacbay

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:958px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/175767666986520250912-fivb-mens-moa-JC-1211.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Team captain Bryan Bagunas with Alas Pilipinas Men during their match against Tunisia in the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men&#x27;s World Championship. <em>Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA <strong>(UPDATED)</strong> — Alas Pilipinas Men tried to hold their ground, but could not stop the surge of World No. 43 Tunisia in their opening match at the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men&#x27;s World Championship on Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.</p><p>The Bryan Bagunas-paced squad fell to its first rival, 13-25, 17-25, 23-25, going down with a 0-1 win-loss record in Pool A of the 32-nation contest.</p><p>The Tunisians played the role of spoiler in the Philippines&#x27; first-ever appearance in the FIVB Worlds, while getting a 1-0 head start in the group also joined by Egypt and Iran.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/volleyball/2025/9/10/bagunas-espejo-banner-alas-pilipinas-roster-for-fivb-mens-world-championship-2025-2205"><strong>READ: Bagunas, Espejo banner Alas Pilipinas&#x27; 14-man roster for FIVB Men&#x27;s World Championship 2025<br/></strong></a></div><p>Bagunas was the silver lining of this game, showing what he is capable of as he overcame a long layoff due to an injury.</p><p>The Alas captain believes they showed their &quot;potential&quot; especially during the final frame, where they almost completed a comeback but came up short, 23-25.</p><p>&quot;For me, ‘yun nga, ‘di good start pero for the third set, nakita ko naman ‘yung potential ng men’s volleyball,&quot; said Bagunas, who poured in a game-high 23 points anchored on 20 attacks, two aces, and one block to go with six receptions.</p><p>Alas Men, ranked 82nd in the world before this match, had a forgettable start as their opponents immediately unleashed a 12-1 run from the first serve to eventually take Set 1.</p><p>Only behind by five in Set 2, 14-19, after a Jade Disquitado kill, the Tunisians found the attacks and blocks, as well as Filipino faults to pull away, capped by an Alas service error in the end, 17-25.</p><p>The late parts of Set 3 were a neck-and-neck battle, with Bagunas leading the charge as he converted some clutch hits, but Ben Romdhane Oussama and Ben Slimene Khaled found the back-to-back kills to close out the match that lasted one hour and eight minutes</p><p>Bagunas vowed that Alas would show up stronger in their next assignment, which is Egypt.</p><p>&quot;For sure, kami babawi kami sa next game,&quot; he said.</p><p>Marck Espejo, also returning from injury just like Bagunas, added nine markers and four digs, while Peng Taguibolos added four points.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><script data-wid="auto" type="text/javascript" src="https://content.viralize.tv/display/?zid=AAFz8gWM8iRADsJr&amp;cid=ABg3_c-i9wCnIW5P"></script></div>

<p>Tunisia played the role of spoiler in the Philippines' first-ever appearance in the FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship. #MWCH #MWCH2025 </p>

Tunisia played the role of spoiler in the Philippines' first-ever appearance in the FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship. #MWCH #MWCH2025

Bagunas shines but Alas Pilipinas' FIVB Worlds debut spoiled by Tunisia

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

BINI

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Volleyball

Bagunas shines but Alas Pilipinas' FIVB Worlds debut spoiled by Tunisia

Kennedy Caacbay,

ABS-CBN News

Published September 12, 2025 08:15 PM PHT

|

Updated September 12, 2025 11:16 PM PHT

Read More:

abssports

absnews

volleyball

2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship 2025

Alas Pilipinas

Bryan Bagunas

Tunisia

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

Haven't received our newsletter?

Check your inbox to verify and confirm your subscription.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.