ALAS PILIPINAS Men shocked world No. 21 Egypt to capture their first FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship victory, 29-27, 23-25, 25-21, 25-21, on Tuesday, Sept. 16, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Golden Spikers star and Alas libero Josh Ybañez anchored the defense in the back row, tallying five successful receptions and nine excellent digs with a 37.50% efficiency.
“It feels great, it feels surreal… I didn’t expect that this would happen,” Ybañez said in the postgame interview.
“But I always have huge trust in the team that we can win,” he added.
The Filipinos struck first with a gritty opening frame, escaping the visitors in an extended set as Leo Ordiales ripped a service ace to close it out, 29-27.
Egypt answered in the second frame, scoring the last three points to snatch it, 25-23.
The national team regained control late in the third, with Ordiales smashing the set-winner, 25-21.
Alas — ranked 88th in the world — stormed ahead in the fourth set, launching a 9-5 run start and holding off a late Egyptian charge to finish the upset.
Captain Bryan Bagunas fired 24 points, while Ordiales and Marck Espejo pumped in 21 and 12 markers, respectively, to power the home team.
Alas Pilipinas faces world No. 13 Iran next to close the preliminary round on Thursday, Sept. 18, at the same venue, with a chance for a playoff berth. F
