MEMBERS of the Alas Pilipinas men pose with Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richard Bachmann and Philippine National Volleyball Federation officials led by president Ramon “Tats” Suzara.

A HISTORIC bronze medal, two individual awards, and the Alas Pilipinas men’s team are off to a strong start in a year-long preparation for the country’s solo hosting of the prestigious FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship next year.

College of St. Benilde continued its impressive comeback run with a decisive 25-21, 25-22, 25-21 victory over NCAA finals rival Colegio de San Juan de Letran, putting itself back in the thick of things in the V-League Women’s Collegiate Challenge at the Paco Arena in Manila on Sunday.

THAILAND took a while to get into the rhythm but did well enough to remain unscathed in the 2024 Southeast Asian Men’s V.League, edging Vietnam, 27-25, 29-27, 25-15, on Saturday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The trio of Thungkham Chaiwat, Nilsawai Kissada, and Bhinijdee Napadet again took charge as the Thais, yet to drop a set in the weekend volleyball spectacle, solidified their bid for the gold after ending up with silver and bronze in two legs last year.

Napadet had 13 points on 11 attacks and two aces as the Thais came up with another huge win, a fitting follow-up to their three-set triumph over pre-tournament favorite Indonesians on Friday's opener.

Surprisingly, the Thais took a little longer getting past the Vietnamese — the match lasting 11 minutes more than their opening win in the four-nation, three-day event hosted by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation headed by Ramon “Tats” Suzara.

Eager to get back on track after a loss to Alas Pilipinas on opening day, Nguyen Ngoc Thuan, Pham Van Hiep, and Tran Duy Tuyen again led the way but Vietnam lost steam in the extended first and second sets.

Thailand then got into the groove in the third and sealed the win over the Vietnamese in one hour and 42 minutes, with Kissada notching 12 points and Chaiwat finishing with 11.

Thuan led all scorers, registering 17 points on 12 attacks, three blocks, and two aces. Hiep had 10 points and Tuyen scored eight.

Thailand goes for a sweep when it battles Alas Pilipinas on Sunday, while Vietnam tries to avoid a winless stint when it takes on Indonesia.

THE Alas Pilipinas men take centerstage as the Philippines hosts the first leg of the 2024 Southeast Asia (SEA) V.League men’s tournament starting Friday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. 

Games on Sunday (Aug. 18)

Ynares Sports Arena

12 noon – Ateneo vs La Salle (men's)

2 p.m. – UST vs Perpetual (men's)

5 p.m. – St. Benilde vs Letran (women's)

Joshua Magalaman displayed exceptional efficiency, leading De La Salle University to a commanding 25-15, 25-22, 25-21 victory over Emilio Aguinaldo College in the V-League Men’s Collegiate Challenge at the Paco Arena in Manila on Wednesday.

The 88-minute victory extended the Green Spikers’ winning streak to three matches in the pre-season tournament.

Magalaman was a force on the court, delivering 10 attack points on just 13 attempts and contributing three blocks. His stellar 13-point performance powered the Taft-based squad to the top of the standings in the eight-team competition.

In contrast, the Generals suffered their third consecutive defeat.

“Pwede kong sabihing convincing kasi straight sets pero since medyo nagpapalit ako ng players, somehow nakikita ko na rin yung kung anong pwede pang iadjust at the same time ano yung kailangan pa namin ipakita na talagang walang kaduda-duda, the word convincing yun na yun,” said La Salle head coach Jose Roque.

Ruther Abor gave EAC a glimmer of hope late in the second set with a strong off-the-block kill and an ace, pulling them within 22-24. However, he fouled up at serve, giving La Salle the 2-0 set advantage.

The Green Spikers thwarted another comeback attempt from the Generals in the third set, with Magalaman and Arjay Magallanes sealing the straight-set romp.

Chris Hernandez continued his solid form for La Salle with 10 points, while MJ Fortuna added seven markers in limited action.

La Salle will next face archrival Ateneo de Manila on Sunday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

Abor was the lone bright spot for the Generals, finishing with 15 points on 13 spikes, a block, and an ace.

EAC will attempt to secure their first win next Wednesday against Colegio de San Juan de Letran, also at the Pasig venue.

Italian coach in huddles with members of the Alas Pilipinas.

ITALIAN Angiolino Frigoni will be debuting as Alas Pilipinas men’s head coach in the first leg of SEA V. League beginning August 16 to 18 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Alas Pilipinas will first meet Vietnam on Friday opener at 6 pm after the game between Indonesia and Thailand at 3 pm. The Philippines is set to meet Indonesia the next day at the same time and venue before concluding the first leg with a match against Thailand at 6 pm.

The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF), headed by President Ramon Tats Suzara expects Alas Pilipinas men’s team to showcase quality competitions among fellow Southeast Asian nations in the single round-robin three-day tournament.

“Playing against quality teams in Southeast Asia is a great test for our Philippine men’s team with new men’s coach Angiolino Frigoni,” Suzara said, noting that Frigoni and Alas Pilipinas will start their buildup for the nation’s hosting of the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship next year.

“We are excited to see our team compete.”

Bryan Bagunas, Josh Ybañez, Vince Patrick Lorenzo, Jade Lex Disquitado, Kim Malabunga, Noel Kampton, Gabriel Casaña, Ave Joshua Retamar, Rwenzmel Taguibolos, Leo Ordiales, Jenngerard Diao, Lloyd Josafat, Louie Ramirez and Michaelo Buddin are the players of Alas Pilipinas.

The 70-year-old mentor is a two-time Olympian head coach for the Italian women’s team in the 1992 Barcelona and 2000 Sydney games. He was formally named by the PNVF last June after being recommended by the FIVB only last year.

The coaching staff of Frigoni are Dante Alinsunurin, Matteo Antonucci, Odjie Mamon, trainer Dexter Clamor, physiotherapist Yuichi Akaba, and team manager Jerome Guhit.

In other games, Vietnam meets Thailand on Saturday at 3 pm and Indonesia on Sunday at the same time.

The men’s second leg is set in Indonesia, and details will still be announced soon.