September 18 ------ The Alas Pilipinas Men have arrived in Italy for a two-week training camp to boost their readiness for the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship. In a social media post, as shared by the Facebook page of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF), the team said it will be facing Italian volleyball squads in the said camp.
Head coach Angiolino Frigoni earlier confirmed this, saying that the Nationals will be tested by a "second level" squad. "We play some matches there, not with the best team, because the best team, they are already in the competition, but the team for the second level in Italy, they are even good for us," Frigoni said during the drawing of lots on Saturday at Solaire Grand Ballroom in Parañaque City.
Alas Men are grouped in Pool A with Iran, Egypt, and Tunisia in the first round of the world championship. Meanwhile, UST Golden Spikers' Josh Ybañez said it's a privilege to play against high-skilled Italian players. "Feel ko sobrang privileged namin kasi nga makakapunta kami Europe and we'll be able to play against sa mga player doon sa Italy and alam naman namin kung gaano sila ka-high yung level ng volleyball doon," he said during the same event. "I'm looking forward na makalaro sila and maraming learnings na makuha from them," he added.
Before leaving for Italy, the men's national volleyball team attended a concert in Malacañang, marking a year-long countdown for hosting of the world championship.
Source: news.abs-cbn.com
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