ALAS Pilipinas needs to show consistency.
National head coach Angiolino Frigoni said this after steering the Philippines to a 29-27, 23-25, 25-21, 25-21 stopping of African champion Egypt on Tuesday in the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship at the Mall of Asia Arena.
“You have to understand that beating Egypt today doesn’t mean we are the best team in the world. We are the same team as before, sometimes playing very well, sometimes not. We have to reach consistency at this level to truly compete,” said Frigoni.
“We have to reach consistency at this level to truly compete. Once we are stable, then we can discuss bigger goals,” added Frigoni.
The Philippines is now in a for do-or-die showdown against Iran in their 5:30 p.m. game on Thursday, along with Egypt when it goes up against Tunisia for the two precious spots in the quarterfinals.
With the historic win, all four teams are now in a four-way tie in Pool A with the same 1-1 win-loss records.
Iran moved in contention for a quarterfinals’ berth after repulsing Tunisia, 23-25, 25-20, 25-23, 25-16.
The Philippines will be banking on the big plays of Byan Bagunas, who finished with a game-high 25 points, off 23 kills and two blocks.
The Iranians’ fate rests on the game of Poriya Hossein, an outside hitter who averages 16.5 points.
