Latest news with #AlasPilipinasInvitationals
GMA Network
15-06-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
Fired-up Alas Pilipinas Men off to Bahrain for AVC Nations Cup
It's the turn of Alas Pilipinas Men to ply their trade against several powerhouse teams in the continent as they see action in the 2025 AVC Men's Volleyball Nations Cup starting on June 17 in Manama, Bahrain. The Filipinos are hoping to build on their three-game sweep in the Alas Pilipinas Invitationals the country hosted last week, where the Philippines reigned over guest teams from Indonesia, South Korea, and Thailand. Former collegiate MVPs Louie Ramirez and Marck Espejo took turns leading the squad to a 3-0 romp. Ramirez, a two-time NCAA MVP out of Perpetual, starred in their 25-23, 27-29, 25-21, 25-22 win against Jakarta Bhayangkara Presisi before former Ateneo star Espejo handled it from there, leading the charge against Korean V. League champion Hyundai Capital Skywalkers and Thailand national team. They now shift into higher gear in the Nations Cup, where they will slug it out against two higher-ranked squads in the preliminary round. Alas will open its campaign against a formidable foe in Pakistan at 7 p.m. on Tuesday with the latter hoping to improve from its runner-up finish last year. Pakistan previously fell to world no. 24 Qatar in the 2024 edition, absorbing a 25-22, 25-20, 25-19 sweep loss in the finals. Alas will then take on world no. 45 Chinese Taipei on June 18 at 7 p.m. to close out the eliminations. The top two teams from each pool will advance to the quarterfinals while the rest will be relegated to the classification phase. The tournament winner will gain the lone ticket to the 2026 Asian Championship. —JKC, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
13-06-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
Alas Pilipinas vows to be better as FIVB Men's Championship nears, says Frigoni
With less than 100 days to go before the FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship here in the country, Alas Pilipinas Men head coach Angiolino Frigoni vowed that the team will do its best to prepare for the tournament. The Philippines will hold the global championship from September 12 to 28. 'I don't know if we have enough time,' Frigoni said on the sidelines of the Alas Pilipinas Invitationals on Thursday. 'We will do our best to be good there.' The men's national team is coming off an impressive run in the Invitationals as they swept all three teams: Jakarta Bhayangkara Presisi, Hyundai Capital Skywalkers of South Korea, and the Thailand national team. "[In] the three matches, we had bad moments,' he said. 'But we didn't give up. We stayed there and we played, and that is what I like," Frigoni said. In the men's championship, however, the world no. 59 Philippines will take on world no. 16 Iran, world no. 22 Egypt, and world no. 39 Tunisia in the preliminary round. Frigoni also hopes the Filipino fans to cheer on the national team come the world championship. "Please cheer for the Philippines because we need your help." —JKC, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
11-06-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
Marck Espejo, Alas Men dominate reigning Korean V. League champs
The Philippines subdued another Asian powerhouse, pulling off a 25-22, 22-25, 25-21, 25-20 win against reigning Korean V. League champion Hyundai Capital Skywalkers in the Alas Pilipinas Invitationals on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Team captain Marck Espejo, who played sparingly in their Tuesday clash against Jakarta Bhayangkara Presisi, took the lead this time around after churning out 20 points on 17 attacks, two aces, and one block. The win sent the Philippines to a spotless 2-0 card in the three-day tournament aimed to serve as the country's test event for the hosting of the FIVB Men's World Championship in September. Espejo got huge help from the young ones in the crucial fourth set with Ken Batas and Leo Ordiales leading a 9-4 rampage that gave Alas a 14-9 cushion. But the Skywalkers, who have just dethroned the Incheon Korean Air Jumbos in the Korean V. League, retaliated with a 5-1 run of their own to slice the gap to one. Batace then answered with two pivotal points, including a strong service ace, before middle blocker Peng Taguibolos poured back-to-back quick attacks that allowed the hosts to secure a 23-19 lead. Espejo soared from the back row, sending a bullet to zone one to hand the Philippines the match point at 24-19 while a service error from the Koreans sealed the win altogether. Alas will close out the invitationals on Thursday where it will lock horns with powerhouse Thailand national team. —JKC, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
10-06-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
Louie Ramirez stars vs. Indonesian club in Alas Pilipinas Invitationals opener
Louie Ramirez shone on both ends to steer the Philippines to a 25-23, 27-29, 25-21, 25-22 win against Jakarta Bhayangkara Presisi of Indonesia in the Alas Pilipinas Invitationals on Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The former NCAA MVP out of the Perpetual ALTAs poured in 25 points anchored on 21 attacks, three blocks, and one ace to rally the hosts against the mighty Indonesians to open their home stand on a winning note. "Ang mindset lang namin is mailaro 'yung dapat na mailaro namin at gusting mangyari ni coach Angiolino kasi grabe 'yung paghihirap namin sa training na araw-araw," Ramirez said. "Sabi lang niya maipakita namin kung ano 'yung gusto niyang mangyari." Ramirez made his presence felt early, unleashing a flurry of attacks that allowed the Philippines to take a 20-19 lead in the opening set before opposite hitter Steven Rotter finished it off from the left side. The Ramirez-Rotter tandem continued to work wonders in Set 2, but an attack error from the former NCAA star allowed the Indonesian club to take the extended frame to level the series. Alas made sure to create some separation in the third with team captain Marck Espejo gettin lucky on the push to give his side the match point at 24-20 before Rotter sealed it with an off-the-block bullet, 25-20. Debuting Ken Batas, the reigning UAAP MVP, provided the spark off the bench by scoring three quick points in the fourth frame, including a huge rejection that sent Alas to the match point, 24-21. Indonesia's own service error put the punctuation for the Philippines. Rotter finished with 14 points while NU star Buds Buddin chipped in 11 markers. Alas Pilipinas will look to make it back-to-back wins when the FIlipinos tangle with Hyundai Capital Skywalkers of South Korea on Wednesday. —JMB, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
09-06-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
PNVF announces 16-man lineup for Alas Pilipinas Invitationals
Marck Espejo will spearhead the Philippines in its homestand when the country hosts the Alas Pilipinas Invitationals from June 10 to 12 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The longtime national team outside spiker leads the 16-man lineup announced by Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) on Monday, just a day before they plunge into action in the invitational tournament set to prepare the squad for the 2025 FIVB Men's World Championship here. Also included are other mainstays Joshua Retamar, Steven Rotter, Kim Malabunga, JP Bugaoan, Joshua Umandal, Jack Kalingking, Lloyd Josafat, and Louie Ramirez. PNVF has also tapped several collegiate stars in Josh Ybañez of UST, Ken Batas of Ateneo, Echo Adajar of La Salle, and the National University troika of Peng Taguibolos, Leo Ordiales, and Buds Buddin. Rounding out the squad is Filipino-American Jackson Reed. Alas Men will open their bid on Tuesday against Jakarta Bhayangkara Presisi of Indonesia before taking on Hyundai Capital Skywalkers of South Korea and Thailand national team on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively. —Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News
