MANILA, Philippines — Bryan Bagunas remains patient in his recovery journey from a left knee injury as he seeks to return for Alas Pilipinas with extra motivation from his family and ambassador role in the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship on September 12 to 28 at Mall of Asia Arena.

Bagunas, recently named as one of the World Championship ambassadors with Eya Laure, said he’s close to returning to jumping exercise and confident that he’ll make it to Alas Pilipinas’ historic debut and hosting.

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“Minsan lang naman ito mangyari sa buhay ko na maka-join sa World Championships. Sieympre, gagawin ko ‘yung best ko para maka-recover agad para maka-join sa Alas Pilipinas,” said Bagunas, who hurt his left knee during Alas Pilipinas’ SEA V. League 1st leg campaign in Manila last year.

READ: Eya Laure, Bryan Bagunas named ambassadors ahead of FIVB worlds

Bryan Bagunas shares his recovery progress. #MWCH2025 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/wQYLPYjER3

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“So far, okay naman na ‘yung recovery ko. Ngayon nag-mu-movement na ako. Siguro by this month, back to jumping exercise. Nag-fofocus talaga ako sa therapy para makabalik agad,” he added.

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Expectant father Bagunas, who led the national team to a historic silver medal finish in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, offers his upcoming world stint to his family and his wife, Nicole Tracy, who will give birth to their child soon.

“Sobrang inspired ko lalo na lalabas na ‘yung magiging anak ko. Siyempre gusto ko pagka panganak niya, makikikita niya ‘yung tatay niya na nire-represent ‘yung Pilipinas,” he said. “‘Yun ‘yung pinaka gusto kong mangyari kasi isang malaking karangalan ‘yung nirerepresent mo ‘yung bansa.”

READ: Bryan Bagunas proud of Alas Pilipinas young guns

The Taiwan League MVP and champion vows to give their best when Alas Pilipinas battles 11-time African champion Tunisia, current Africa titlist and Paris Olympian Egypt, and 2024 Asian Championship runner-up Iran in Group A. 

“Yung pag-join sa World Championship isang kasaysayan na ito eh. Siyempre pag dating sa paglalaro, kailangan lang namin ipakita kasi alam naman natin na underdog kami. Sobrang malalaki ‘yung kalaban namin, sobrang experienced na sila. Nakapaglaro na sila sa ganitong klaseng tournament,” Bagunas said. 

“Asahan naman ng mga Filipino fans at mga nanonood na ibibigay namin ‘yung best namin. For sure, marami kami matutunan dito. Sa tingin ko, sa next na pag may chance ulit maka-laro ulit sa isang World Championship, for sure mas maganda papakita namin.”

The Cignal HD Spiker won’t rush his way to full recovery but his determination to lead by example for his young Alas teammates will always be in full display.

“Galing nga ako sa injury so siguro dahan-dahan lang pero nandun ‘yung eagerness ko para manalo sa team. Siyempre, kailangan every game naka-focus talaga and kailangan nandun ‘yung teamwork namin para maipakita din namin kung ano ‘yung natutunan namin sa training camps namin,” he said.