MANILA, Philippines — ALAS Pilipinas got itself into a 'pretty difficult' pool as the year-long countdown to the 2025 FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship Philippines got off to a rousing and scintillating start in a glitzy Drawing of Lots ceremony that had the makings of a Grammy or an Oscar at the Solaire Resort Grand Ballroom.

'This is for the Philippines and Filipino fans,' Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Ramon 'Tats' Suzara told a big audience of FIVB and Philippine sports officials, representatives from the embassies of the 32-nation world championships, stakeholders, athletes and coaches.