Asian Games champion Iran marched to the next round of the FIVB Men’s World Championship after beating host Philippines, 21-25, 25-21, 17-25, 25-23, 22-20, Thursday night at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Outside hitter Poriya Hossein Khanzadeh Firouzjah delivered 22 points (19 attacks and three aces) while opposite Ali Hajipour Moghadam Farouji had 19 points off 14 attacks and three blocks as the Iranians finished their Pool A campaign with a 2-1 record.

Ali Haghparast and Yousef Kazemi Poshtpari chipped in nine and eight points, respectively.

Iran fell to Egypt (17-25, 25-16, 23-25, 20-25) on Sept. 14 but triumphed over Tunisia (23-25, 25-20, 25-23, 25-16) on Sept. 16.

“In some moment, we were really afraid to play their ball. This one cannot be normal for us because if we want to improve the level, it’s true that we have to reach some goals about experience. But this one is not the level that the guys need to reach,” Iran coach, Italian Roberto Piazza, said.

Skipper Bryan Bagunas paced Alas Pilipinas with 22 points off 18 attacks, three blocks and one ace. Leo Ordiales scored 21 points (19 attacks, one block and one ace), followed by Marck Espejo with 15 (12 attacks and three blocks) and Kim Malabunga with 10 (six attacks, two blocks and two aces).

After losing its opening match to Tunisia (13-25, 17-25, 23-26) on Sept. 12, the Philippines shocked 11-time African champion Egypt (29-27, 23-25, 25-21, 25-21) on Tuesday to secure a historic first win at the World Championship.

“I am very proud. I am very proud because we improved a lot. We showed that we can play good volleyball. Thank you for all the fans that came here because they support us very much,” Italian coach Angiolino Frigoni, who was appointed in 2024 through the FIVB Volleyball Empowerment program, said.

Tunisia had earlier secured a round of 16 slot, prevailing over Egypt (25-19, 25-18, 25-22) for its second win in three outings.

Elyes Karamosli and Oussama Ben Romdhane led Tunisia with 14 points each, while Ali Bongui added 13 points.

Poland and the Netherlands (Pool B), USA and Portugal (Pool D), Bulgaria and Slovenia (Pool E), and Türkiye and Canada (Pool G) also advanced.

The Round of 16 will start on Saturday as the competition continues in single elimination format through the quarterfinals, semifinals, and the final to determine the winner.

Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Ramon Suzara, who also serves as Asian Volleyball Confederation president, leads the local organizing committee, co-chaired by presidential son William Vincent Marcos, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano and Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco. (PNA)