John Franklin Kennedy Caacbay

Article (news)

Aleks Nikolov

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:959px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1758960802319aleks.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Bulgaria&#x27;s rising star Aleks Nikolov in action. <em>Volleyball World</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Bulgaria is the first finalist of the Philippine-hosted 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men&#x27;s World Championship.</p><p>The World No. 9 team completed a 25-20, 23-25, 25-21, 25-22 victory over No. 17 Czechia in the semifinals to reach the championship round on Saturday in front of 6,896 spectators at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/volleyball/2025/9/27/nostalgia-hits-as-volleyball-icon-leila-barros-looks-back-at-memories-of-manila-1429"><strong>READ: Nostalgia hits as volleyball icon Leila Barros looks back at memories of Manila</strong></a></div><p>This marked the country&#x27;s return to the world championship finals—55 years in the making—since reaching this phase in 1970, when they snagged the silver medal.</p><p>Bulgarian rising star Aleksandar Nikolov worked wonders for their offense, firing 31 points on 27 attacks, three aces and a block, tying the tournament-high output of Belgium&#x27;s Ferre Reggers during the pool phase against Italy.</p><p>The Bulgarians will face the winner of Poland-Italy blockbuster semis faceoff for the gold medal.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/volleyball/2025/9/25/fivb-worlds-bulgaria-outlasts-usa-arranges-semis-clash-with-czechia-2317"><strong>READ: FIVB Worlds: Bulgaria outlasts USA, arranges semis clash with Czechia<br/></strong></a></div><p>Meanwhile, Czechia&#x27;s Cinderella run ends here at the Final Four, marking its best finish in the worlds.</p>

<p>Bulgaria is the first finalist of the Philippine-hosted 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship. #MWCH2025 </p>

Bulgaria is the first finalist of the Philippine-hosted 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship. #MWCH2025

FIVB Worlds: Aleks Nikolov stars as Bulgaria repels Czechia to secure finals berth

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FIVB Worlds: Aleks Nikolov stars as Bulgaria repels Czechia to secure finals berth

Kennedy Caacbay,

ABS-CBN News

Published Sep 27, 2025 04:35 PM PHT

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Updated Sep 27, 2025 06:40 PM PHT

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volleyball

2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship

Bulgaria

Czechia

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