THE Alas Pilipinas Boys found Iran a tough nut to crack to yield, 17-25, 20-25, 13-25, on the first day of action in the 2026 Asian Volleyball Confederation Boys’ U18 Volleyball Championship at the Wuyuan River Gymnasium in Haikou, China.

Iran asserted its dominance early in the opening frame with 21 attacks as the Alas Boys managed only eight attack points of their own.

The nationals came alive in the second set to tie the score at 19 behind Djomari Gamotea, Raphael Galapin and Elijah Marticion.

But Iran responded with a 6-1 rally initiated by middle blockers Heydari Sefat Pedram and Chodorarkhoei Aydin and never looked back to book the straight-set victory in one hour and five minutes.

The Philippine team—organized under the supervision of the Philippine Olympic Committee and supported by the Philippine Sports Commission—faces Bahrain at 1 p.m. Monday  with Iran looking to 2-0 when it battles India at 10 a.m.

“We just fell short—despite tying the score at 19-19 in the second set,” head coach Oliver Balse said. “We need to work on our defense.”

Marticion led Alas Pilipinas with eight points on seven attacks and a block, while Galapin and Ar-Raquib Dais made five points each.

Nima Piri and Abolfazl Pashaamiri chipped in 16 and 15 points, respectively, for Iran.

“We’ll keep on working and fighting to get getter,” Balse said. “The skills are there, it’s a matter of squeezing them out.”