September 18, 2025 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — Saludo ang Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) sa tagumpay ng Alas Pilipinas na nagtala ng unang panalo sa FIVB Men’s World Championship noong Martes ng gabi sa Mall of Asia Arena sa Pasay City.
Ayon kay POC president Bambol Tolentino, inaasahang mas lalo pang tataas ang lebel ng Philippine volleyball matapos ang 29-27, 23-25, 25-21, 25-21 panalo ng Alas sa African champion Egypt.
“It was a dream come true,” ani Tolentino.
Hindi birong talunin ang Egypt na nine-time African champion na nakaabot sa No. 13 spot sa 2010 world championship habang ikasiyam naman sa 2016 Olympics sa Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
“These men have etched their names in volleyball history and their victory would surely be an inspiration and motivation for the next generation to emulate as role model,” ani Tolentino.
Tuloy ang pag-angat ng Pilipinas sa mundo ng sports na pinangunahan ni Hidilyn Diaz nang makamit nito ang unang gintong medalya ng Pilipinas sa Olympics noong 2021 sa Tokyo, Japan.
Sinundan ito ng dalawang ginto mula kay gymnast Carlos Yulo sa 2024 Paris Olympics.
“It’s all about setting goals and working very hard to achieve those goals,” ani Tolentino na bahagi ng board ng Local Organizing Committee.
Kaya naman hindi maitago ni Tolentino ang saya nang makagawa ng kasaysayan ang Alas Pilipinas.
“It was a long shot, we never aimed that high for Alas Pilipinas in this world championship, but they overachieved. I commend the PNVF [Philippine National Volleyball Federation] for this achievement and the support of the entire sports community in this success,” ani Tolentino.
Nagpasalamat din si Tolentino sa mga naging katuwang nito upang maisakatuparan ang inaasam na tagumpay sa Philippine sports.
“To build champions, it takes the entire community—the government, the Philippine Sports Commission, the private sector, the Filipino fan, to name a few,” aniya.