John Franklin Kennedy Caacbay

Marck Espejo with Alas Pilipinas Men at the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship, September 16, 2025. Mark Demayo ABS-CBN News 

Alas Pilipinas battles against Egypt in the FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship 2025 in Pasay City on September 16, 2025. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

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FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship 2025 (PHL vs EGY)

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/175809883805120250916-fivb-alas-egypt-MQD28713-MD.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Alas Pilipinas star spiker Marck Espejo at the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men&#x27;s World Championship, September 16, 2025. Mark Demayo ABS-CBN News "/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Alas Pilipinas star spiker Marck Espejo at the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men&#x27;s World Championship, September 16, 2025. <em>Mark Demayo ABS-CBN News </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The Philippines, the second-lowest-ranked country at the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men&#x27;s World Championship, has nothing to lose but everything to gain in the tournament — and the Alas Men know this.</p><p>One of their stars, Marck Espejo, has this mindset ahead of their bout against World No. 16 Iran on Thursday, September 18.</p><p>After showing what they can do on the world stage, upsetting Egypt on Tuesday, <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/volleyball/2025/9/16/alas-pilipinas-men-make-history-defeat-egypt-for-first-ever-win-in-fivb-worlds-1943"><strong>29-27, 23-25, 25-21, 25-21,</strong></a> they are prepared to give their all once more as the massive underdogs in the 32-nation tournament.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/volleyball/2025/9/17/alas-pilipinas-men-soar-to-no-77-in-world-rankings-after-shock-win-vs-egypt-0141"><strong>READ: Alas Pilipinas Men soar to No. 77 in world rankings after shock win vs Egypt<br/></strong></a></div><p>After creating a logjam at 1-1 records among the Philippines, Tunisia, Egypt, and Iran, the Thursday battles in Pool A are virtual knockout matches for Round of 16 spots.</p><p>&quot;Same lang po sa ginawa namin dito ngayon [against Egypt], ie-enjoy lang po namin &#x27;yung game. Nothing to lose po. Siyempre, medyo pressure din po kasi nanalo po kami ng one game, so may chance pa po kami makapasok sa Round of 16,&quot; Espejo told reporters.</p><p>&quot;Boost po talaga ng confidence &#x27;yung pagkapanalo na ‘to,&quot; the former Ateneo star added.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/volleyball/2025/9/16/alas-pilipinas-men-make-history-defeat-egypt-for-first-ever-win-in-fivb-worlds-1943"><strong>READ: Alas Pilipinas Men make history, defeat Egypt for first-ever win in FIVB Worlds<br/></strong></a></div><p>&quot;Hindi rin po talaga namin inisip na manalo ng game. Kumbaga, sabi nga ni coach [Angiolino Frigoni], nothing to lose po talaga kami sa World Championship. Blessing na rin po na nothing to lose pero kami po, nakakapag-perform.&quot;</p><p>As someone who mulled his retirement from the national team, Espejo, who was also part of the country&#x27;s silver-medal-winning squad at the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, is just celebrating what he can still achieve with Alas.</p><p>And now, he&#x27;s a winner in a men&#x27;s world championship match, an upset that echoed across the globe.</p><p>&quot;Winning a game po dito sa World Championship, parang isa na po talagang big, big, big achievement para sa Philippines po.&quot;</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Mgt47kJzCLs??si=9CDsbAiiUEqYqTn1&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>"Same lang po sa ginawa namin dito ngayon [against Egypt], ie-enjoy lang po namin 'yung game. Nothing to lose po. Siyempre, medyo pressure din po kasi nanalo po kami ng one game, so may chance pa po kami makapasok sa Round of 16," says Marck Espejo #MWCH2025 </p>

"Same lang po sa ginawa namin dito ngayon [against Egypt], ie-enjoy lang po namin 'yung game. Nothing to lose po. Siyempre, medyo pressure din po kasi nanalo po kami ng one game, so may chance pa po kami makapasok sa Round of 16," says Marck Espejo #MWCH2025

FIVB Worlds: Fearless Alas Men still embracing 'nothing to lose' mindset ahead of Iran bout

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FIVB Worlds: Fearless Alas Men still embracing 'nothing to lose' mindset ahead of Iran bout

Kennedy Caacbay,

ABS-CBN News

Published September 17, 2025 08:30 PM PHT

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2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship

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