SET NA NATIN 'TO.

SM flaunts its world-class sports and concert venue Mall of Asia Arena, all bright and ready for the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship kicking off today, Thursday, 4:30 pm.

The MOA Arena shares group phase hosting duties with the fabled Araneta Coliseum in the two-week, 32-nation spiking showcase. Photos from SM Mall of Asia Arena

PRICED OUT?

Lower box and patron seats remain nearly empty at the Mall of Asia Arena as of 4:30 pm, at the start of the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship opening ceremony.

"Team Bahay" Filipino fans expressed widespread dismay over high ticket prices, ranging from P1,500 to P14,000 each. | via @JR Isaga - Rappler

BOYNEXTDOOR turns up the energy at the Mall of Asia Arena to cap off the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship opening ceremony!

KASAYSAYAN.

For the first time in the 76-year history of the FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship, the Philippine National Anthem rings out as Alas Pilipinas faces Tunisia to kick off the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship! | via @JR Isaga - Rappler

FIVB | SET 1: Tunisia explodes for a 12-1 start before Alas leaders Bryan Bagunas and Marck Espejo settle the ship. Tunisia still leads, 17-7.

FIVB | END OF SET 1: Tunisia rides a massive 12-1 start before blowing out Alas Pilipinas, 25-13. | via @JR Isaga - Rappler

FIRST-EVER FIRST SERVE.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. makes the ceremonial serve minutes before the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship opening match kicks off between host Alas Pilipinas and favored Tunisia.

This is the Philippines' first-ever World Championship appearance in the tournament's 76-year history.

FIVB | SET 3: Leo Ordiales and Kim Malabunga keep it tight as Alas Pilipinas leads Tunisia, 13-12! | via @JR Isaga - Rappler

JUST IN. Tunisia hands out a rude welcome despite a late valiant effort by FIVB World Championship debutant Alas Pilipinas, sweeping the tournament’s first match, 25-13, 25-17, 25-23. | via @JR Isaga - Rappler @here

EXIT FOR ALEX 🎾

JUST IN. Alex Eala sees her run in the WTA 250 Sao Paulo Open in Brazil come to an end after a 6-4, 6-1 loss to fellow Southeast Asian standout Janice Tjen of Indonesia in the quarterfinals.

The defeat snaps Eala's seven-match winning streak. | via @Delfin Dioquino - Rappler @here

O CAPTAIN, MY CAPTAIN.

United States men's volleyball captain Micah Christenson and former Philippine women's volleyball captain Alyssa Valdez share an embrace after USA's straight-set win over Colombia to start its 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship campaign in Manila.

Valdez and Christenson also interacted in the Philippines' previous hostings of the Volleyball Nations League.

📷 PNVF

SEXBOMB GIRLS COMEBACK? 👯‍♀️

Rochelle Pangilinan, one of the original members of the SexBomb Girls, teases the group’s comeback in a Facebook video on Saturday, September 13.

The short clip noted that the SexBomb Girls’ return will take place on December 4 at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. Further details, however, have yet to be disclosed.

The all-female group was formed in 1999, its members consisting of backup dancers from “Eat Bulaga.” Beyond dance, the girls would later add new skills like singing and acting to their roster — and would go on to release iconic songs like “Di Ko Na Mapipigilan,” “Sumayaw Sumunod,” and “Bakit Papa?” among others.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1Ce5NsS42f/?mibextid=wwXIfr

FIVB | FINAL:

World No. 8 Argentina lives up to its billing as the higher-ranked team as it completes a 19-25, 18-25, 25-22, 25-22, 15-11 comeback against No. 18 Finland in Pool C.

Pablo Kukartsev and Luciano Palonsky lead the Argentinians with 20 and 19 points, respectively.

😞 https://www.rappler.com/sports/boxing/ricky-hatton-dies/

Seeking history beyond just hosting the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship, Alas Pilipinas guns for its first-ever win at the world stage against world No. 21 Egypt and boost its knockout phase hopes.

Tune in here for updates! https://www.rappler.com/sports/volleyball/updates-games-results-athletes-fivb-men-world-championship-2025/

HISTORY!

National team veteran Kim Malabunga nails a block and Leo Ordiales scores a massive ace to give Alas Pilipinas its first-ever set win in FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship history, 29-27, against world No. 21 Egypt!

Alas Pilipinas puts up another valiant effort, but Egypt gets on the board, 25-23, for the 1-1 tie. | via @JR Isaga - Rappler

World No. 21 Egypt is now on the ropes as No. 89 Alas Pilipinas stages another historic shock set win, 25-21, for the 2-1 lead! | via @JR Isaga - Rappler

KASAYSAYAN SA PILIPINAS!

JUST IN. For the first time in FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship history, massive underdog and world No. 89 Alas Pilipinas earns a historic upset win after toppling world No. 21 Egypt in 4 sets! | via @JR Isaga - Rappler @here

HISTORIC WIN!

A massive underdog at No. 89, Alas Pilipinas earns its first-ever triumph in the FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship by taking down world No. 21 Egypt in a four-set stunner. Photo: FIVB media pool https://www.rappler.com/sports/volleyball/match-results-philippines-egypt-fivb-men-world-championship-september-16-2025/

LABAN, PILIPINAS! 🇵🇭🏐

Alas Pilipinas shoots for the stars once again as world No. 16 Iran stands in the way of an improbable Round of 16 slot at 5:30 pm on Thursday, September 18!

Tune in here for live updates! https://www.rappler.com/sports/volleyball/updates-games-results-athletes-fivb-men-world-championship-2025/

CALM BEFORE THE STORM

Alas Pilipinas Men huddle for guidance before its do-or-die uphill climb against world No. 16 Iran at 5:30 pm.

Whichever team wins gets the other Pool A knockout phase spot, following Tunisia's shock sweep and playoff clincher of Egypt in the earlier match. | via @JR Isaga - Rappler

Photo: PNVF media pool

THE MAGIC CONTINUES!

SET 1: Alas Pilipinas pounces on error-prone world No. 16 Iran for the 25-21 win! | via @JR Isaga - Rappler

FIVB | END OF SET 2:

Iran this time capitalizes on 10 Alas Pilipinas errors to tie the match, 25-21. | via @JR Isaga - Rappler

FIVB | END OF SET 3: GINALINGAN MASYADO!

World No. 77 Alas Pilipinas destroys No. 16 Iran, 25-17, to move to the cusp of a #MWCH2025 knockout phase berth! | via @JR Isaga - Rappler

FIVB | END OF SET 4: HISTORY ON THE LINE IN FIVE.

Iran survives Alas Pilipinas' comeback to force a do-or-die fifth set for the last Pool A knockout phase, 25-23. | via @JR Isaga - Rappler

JUST IN. Valiant Alas Pilipinas bows out of a dream run in the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship as world No. 16 Iran earns a five-set comeback win to reach the knockout phase.

Salamat sa kasaysayan, Alas Pilipinas! @here