John Franklin Kennedy Caacbay

Alas Pilipinas Men at the AVC Nations Cup 2025. Photo from Asian Volleyball Confederation

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Alas Pilipinas Men

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17563968692291750254959333MJA_0583.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>Alas Pilipinas Men at the AVC Nations Cup 2025. Photo from Asian Volleyball Confederation</div>MANILA — Owa Retamar shared how their three-country training camp in Europe, from Morocco to Romania and Portugal, impacted Alas Pilipinas Men, who are gearing up for the FIVB Men&#x27;s World Championship 2025.Retamar stated that the Europeans were indeed tough adversaries on the taraflex, admitting they got intimidated specifically by their height. However, Alas Men also realized how the team could close in the matchups in the upcoming 32-nation tilt which will be hosted by the Philippines.Skills would be their neutralizer, said the young playmaker, as he also shared that the training camp was tiring but a necessary step to put on a show in front of the home crowd.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/volleyball/2025/8/26/alas-pilipinas-looks-to-overcome-amin-esmaeilnezhad-iran-in-fivb-worlds-1729">READ: Alas Pilipinas looks to overcome Amin Esmaeilnezhad, Iran in FIVB Worlds</a></div>“At first, I was a bit nervous because everyone here is so tall. We felt like high schoolers compared to them. But, we’re happy because we realized that even if we’re smaller, we can still keep up with them,” Retamar said in a statement made available to media.“They have a height advantage, but we can match their skills,” he said. “Our training camp has been exhausting, but it was so worth it. It helped us a lot.”Retamar, at 25, is already a senior member of Alas, guiding fellow setter Eco Adajar and Elijah Tae-yin Kim under his tutelage.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/volleyball/2025/8/26/men-s-volleyball-stars-rally-in-laoag-for-fivb-worlds-1655">READ: Men&#x27;s volleyball stars rally in Laoag for FIVB Worlds </a></div>“The three of us really support each other, especially during games. We always talk about strategies to score quickly, so we’ve become a great trio on the court,” he said. “Even now, I still struggle to act like a senior on the team. That’s why Kuya Bryan (Bagunas) and Kuya Marck (Espejo) always remind me that I need to step up and be a leader.”The setter out of National University bared how he is still refining his game amid uncertainty of being part of the final roster of Alas.“I’m improving in a lot of ways, even my attitude when it comes to volleyball. Even if I can’t always show it or do what’s expected of me right away, I’m really trying, for myself and for my team,” Retamar said.The world championship will kick off on September 12 at the Mall of Asia Arena, with Brazilian superstar Leila Barros gracing the Finals on Sept. 27 and 28.Tickets are available at <a href="https://www.philippineswch2025.com/about/tickets">https://www.philippineswch2025.com/about/tickets</a>.

Owa Retamar shared how their three-country training camp in Europe, from Morocco to Romania and Portugal, impacted Alas Pilipinas Men, who are gearing up for the FIVB Men's World Championship 2025. #MWCH #MWCH2025 #Philippines2025

Owa Retamar shared how their three-country training camp in Europe, from Morocco to Romania and Portugal, impacted Alas Pilipinas Men, who are gearing up for the FIVB Men's World Championship 2025. #MWCH #MWCH2025 #Philippines2025

Retamar, Alas Men embrace lessons from Europe training camp for FIVB Worlds

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Retamar, Alas Men embrace lessons from Europe training camp for FIVB Worlds

Kennedy Caacbay,

ABS-CBN News

Published Aug 29, 2025 12:26 AM PHT

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Owa Retamar

Alas Pilipinas Men

FIVB Men's World Championship 2025

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