THE Alas Pilipinas men’s national volleyball team, bannered by Marck Espejo and Bryan Bagunas, arrived in Nagoya, Japan on Thursday for the 2026 Asian Games. Slated in Pool D, Team Philippines will be tested early as it faces South Korea for its first match at 12 p.m. on Sept. 27 at the Park Arena Komaki. The other two countries in the group are China and Chinese Taipei. In the 2022 edition of the Asian Games in China, the Philippines placed 13th in men’s volleyball. This time, Alas Pilipinas is looking to make the second round with the help of outside hitters Espejo and Bagunas. Now having the experience of playing in the FIVB World Championship where the Philippines made a breakthrough after winning against Egypt, Alas Pilipinas looks to make a mark in the Asian Games. The last time that the Filipinos reached the semifinals here was in 1958 when the Philippines placed fourth overall for its best finish in the Asian Games. In the 1962 Indonesia, 1966 Thailand, and 1974 Iran Games, the Philippines placed ninth, eighth, and sixth, respectively. Alas Pilipinas, ranked 114th in the world, needs to win at least two games in the group stage, as only the top two teams of each of the four pools will advance to the quarterfinal round. Facing steep odds in Pool D, Philippine coach Angiolino Frigoni of Italy needs to pull a huge rabbit off his hat to hurdle past higher ranked teams South Korea (25th), China (34th) and Chinese Taipei (55th). Aside from Espejo and Bagunas, Frigoni can also lean on outside hitter Jude Garcia and opposite spikers Leo Ordiales, and John Lirck Mendoza. The team’s middle blockets are Lloyd Josafat, Peng Taguibolos and Joshua Magalaman and the playmakers are Greg Augustus Luis Ancheta and Adi Villados. Josh Ybañez is the libero for the national team.