Alas Pilipinas Men head coach Angiolino Frigoni. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News
MANILA — Italian mentor Angiolino Frigoni is keeping a "malayo na, pero malayo pa" mindset after leading the Philippines to a historic win on the world stage.
Frigoni, 71, is making sure that his team stays grounded after clinching a breakthrough triumph in the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship on Tuesday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
He knows that the team had improved under his supervision, but there is still a long way to go for the Nationals, and they know "where exactly where to improve."
READ: Alas Pilipinas Men make history, defeat Egypt for first-ever win in FIVB Worlds
Alas Pilipinas Men etched their names further in the history books by outdueling reigning African champion Egypt, 29-27, 23-25, 25-21, 25-21, in Pool A.
"Don’t put on the mind of everybody that we are a good team. Okay, we played good today. We are very happy that we win today, but we know what we have to improve," Frigoni told reporters.
Frigoni signed up to be Alas Men's coach in June 2024.
"We just won today, I don’t know where we’ll be in two days, even with how stable we were today. You have to understand that because today we beat Egypt, and we are the best team in the world, no! We are the same team as before that sometimes plays very good, sometimes not very good," he went on.
"We have to get stable on this level to try to compete. Once we are stable in this level, we can discuss."
READ: FIVB Worlds: Promise kept as Leo Ordiales bounces back vs Egypt after dismal 1st game
But for now, they're taking this win, as they gave themselves a chance for a Round of 16 spot in the FIVB worlds.
Alas Pilipinas' Angiolino Frigoni lays down on the floor after their win over Egypt at the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship on September 16, 2025. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News
"I laid on the ground because I was very happy. This was not just for you and for the Filipinos, but this team was with me for 16 months, and I saw them on how they improved to play. I was waiting for them to win one match to show to everybody how we improved in these 16 months. That happened today," said the Philippines' shot-caller.
"I’m very happy for it. I am 71 and I went to how many World Championships, but every team has a story. Every team has a background, and for me, I had to lay down on the floor because I was so happy."
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