After their first World Championship win, Alas Pilipinas helped close Manila’s historic tournament with a heartfelt athlete-led handover honouring Italy’s triumph
The 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship in Manila marked a defining chapter for Philippine volleyball, as the national team earned their first-ever World Championship victory and proudly represented the host nation on home soil.
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Led by captain Bryan Bagunas, the Philippine team celebrated their first-ever World Championship win against Egypt, marking a proud milestone for the host nation. They later pushed Iran to five sets in one of the most thrilling matches of their campaign, showing how far they have come and how fiercely they can compete with Asia’s best. The home crowd stayed behind them all the way, cheering every point as the team left the court with their heads held high.
That same sense of pride and connection carried through to the tournament’s closing ceremony, where the hosts were invited to take part in a meaningful, athlete-centred trophy handover.
The moment began when head coach Angiolino Frigoni passed the World Championship trophy from the stands to his players, who then relayed it amongst themselves, each taking a turn to hold the symbol of the event they helped bring to life.
As the trophy moved from one pair of hands to another, it reflected the true heart of the World Championship, with athletes recognising one another and a host nation celebrating its role in bringing the global volleyball community together. The relay ended with Bagunas stepping forward to present the trophy to Italian captain Simone Giannelli, honouring the newly crowned world champions after their victory over Bulgaria.
It was a moment of pride and gratitude at the end of a historic World Championship run.
Days after the event, the Senate of the Philippines passed a resolution commending Alas Pilipinas for their breakthrough performance as hosts. The recognition honoured their first World Championship victory and the inspiration they brought to Filipino fans who witnessed their journey on home soil.
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