Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Ramon “Tats” Suzara has challenged Alas Pilipinas to sustain their growth after a performance that stunned fans at the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship.

Suzara said he hopes Bryan Bagunas, Leo Ordiales, Marck Espejo, Kim Malabunga, and the rest of the squad will continue to evolve in skill and mindset while serving as ambassadors of the sport.

Suzara calls for leadership and mentorship

“Elevate the sport locally through mentorship,” Suzara said. “Set an example for younger athletes with discipline, teamwork, and resilience. Also, we hope they stay committed to development, even outside major competitions.”

The Philippines capped its campaign with a five-set battle against Iran. Though it ended in defeat, the valiant stand earned praise from volleyball fans worldwide, including leaders of the FIVB and the Italian federation.

Alas Pilipinas earns global respect

Ranked among the longest shots to advance, the Filipinos came within a set of reaching the Round of 16.

“This is much more than we expected. But all things considered, it’s no big surprise. We put our faith in these guys to deliver, and they did. They’re the new sports heroes of the country,” said Suzara, who also heads the Asian Volleyball Confederation and serves as FIVB executive vice president.

The Philippines finished 1–2 in pool play, the same record as Olympic champion France and world No. 7 Japan, who both failed to advance. The highlight came in a historic win over Egypt, which ignited national pride after a strong showing against Tunisia and a gritty fight with Iran.

“It’s a difficult job hosting the world championship. And it’s very difficult to build a team for the world championship. But I think we’ve done a good job,” Suzara said.