Alas Pilipinas Men's team loses to Iran in five sets in World Championship

Alas Pilipinas Men's team concluded their FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship campaign with a five-set loss to Iran at the MOA Arena.

Iran, ranked No. 15 in the world, challenged a net touch call in the fifth set when the Filipinos were at match point, which was upheld after video review.

Iran won the match 21-25, 25-21, 17-25, 25-23, 22-20, with Yousef Poshtpari blocking Marck Espejo's final attack.

Kim Malabunga was cited for a net infraction on a video challenge that overturned the Filipinos' sixth match point.

Despite the defeat, which denied the Filipinos, ranked No. 77 in the world, a seat in the Last 16, key player Marck Espejo expressed pride in the team's performance.

Alas head coach Angiolino Frigoni stated that they were in a dream that ended just one point before being finished, but acknowledged it's part of the sport.

Alas Pilipinas finished their inaugural World Championship appearance with a 1-2 record, achieving a historic win against Egypt.