MANILA, Philippines – The Alas Pilipinas men’s volleyball team is in the fight of its life as the Philippines stages a historic hosting of the 32-country FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship September 12-28.
One of the top stars expected to lead the country in its monumental task of giving the world’s best a good fight is well-traveled spiker Bryan Bagunas, currently out of commission due to an undisclosed left knee injury suffered last August.
He made it clear, however, that he will be no mere talking head for the historic tournament organized by the International Volleyball Federation and the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF), as he continues to ramp up his recovery in order to make the September deadline.
“So far, my recovery is going fine. I’m doing some movement work, and maybe I’ll be back to jumping exercises this month. I’m really focusing on my therapy so I can return quickly,” Bagunas said in Filipino after he was named an official World Championship ambassador in Taguig City on Tuesday, March 4.
“This will only happen rarely in the span of my life that I get to join the World Championships. Of course, I’ll do my best to recover immediately and rejoin Alas Pilipinas.”
Still on the mend with less than 200 days left before the Worlds, the NU legend in the meantime was tapped alongside fellow national team star Eya Laure as ambassadors, and will do trophy tours among other landmark promotional events with the PNVF leading up to September.
Joining the star spiker pair in the official reveal press conference on Tuesday is the World Championship’s official music partner, Ben&Ben.
Once fully healthy, Bagunas is expected to reform a world-class one-two punch with fellow superstar spiker Marck Espejo in a bid to not only get experience, but perhaps snag some huge upsets along the way.
“The moment our hosting of the World Championships was announced last year, we the players got immediately excited and eager to perform well,” Bagunas continued. “If we’re not meant to win, we still promise the Filipino fans and everyone watching that we will do our best and learn everything we can.”
“I think when the next chance to play again in the World Championships comes around, for sure we will have even better showings.”
Alas Pilipinas, ranked 61st in the world, is slated to kick off the loaded tournament on September 12 at the Mall of Asia Arena against world No. 24 Tunisia, followed by a showdown with No. 20 Egypt on September 16, and one last elimination round tussle with No. 15 Iran on September 18. – Rappler.com