BANGKOK, Thailand – Bryan Bagunas was overflowing with pride as he and tennis sensation Alex Eala carried the Philippine flag during the opening ceremony of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games on Tuesday evening at the Rajamangala National Stadium. The moment, which kicked off the multi-sport extravaganza hosted by Thailand, spotlighted the rising tide of Philippine volleyball through Bagunas, captain of the Alas Pilipinas men’s team.
A Proud Partnership: Bagunas and Eala’s Flag-Bearing Honor
Bagunas, the Osaka Bluteon import in Japan’s SV.League, gushed about sharing the spotlight with Eala, the 20-year-old WTA rising star whose world-class prowess has put Philippine tennis on the map. “We all know Alex competes at a world-class level. The competition she plays in is really on a different level. I’m proud to be alongside her as a flagbearer. It’s truly an honor for me,” Bagunas said in Filipino, his voice laced with genuine awe.
The duo led the Philippine contingent – a 140-plus strong parade of athletes – in a ceremony that blended pomp and pageantry, setting the stage for the Games’ December 9-20 run across 56 sports. Bagunas, riding high from Alas Pilipinas’ impressive debut at the FIVB Men’s World Championship last September, viewed the selection as a nod to the sport’s growth. “Honestly, I was shocked that I was chosen. I really didn’t expect it because, you know, there are many others who I feel are more deserving to be the flagbearer for the Philippines,” he admitted. “It’s a huge honor for me—not just for myself but for Philippine volleyball as well. I’m really happy to be one of the flagbearers.”
Volleyball’s Rising Tide: A Legacy Moment
The honor caps a banner year for Philippine volleyball, with the men’s team eyeing a return to the podium after their magical silver in 2019. Bagunas, part of that Hanoi heartbreak squad, is hungry for redemption in Pool B, facing Myanmar on Saturday before a high-stakes clash with defending champion Indonesia on December 16. Alas Pilipinas Women captain Jia De Guzman, who led her squad with nine SEA Games debutants in the parade, beamed with pride for her male counterparts. “I think it just goes to show that volleyball is evolving every year. It’s rising and we’ve also seen how well the men’s Alas team played this World Championship,” De Guzman shared from the sendoff. “When we heard the news that Bryan was going to be the flagbearer alongside Alex Eala, we’re really proud. Because he is a representative of the Alas program and we are only in our second year. So, what more in the future and we are excited for the next generation of athletes in the Philippines. Any volleyball player that represents the Philippine community, it’s a big deal for us.”
The women’s team, fresh off a bronze in Cambodia 2023, opens against host and defending champion Thailand on Thursday at 6:30 p.m., followed by Singapore on December 12 in Pool A.
A Games of High Hopes for Team PH
For the Philippines, entering with a delegation of over 140 athletes, Bagunas and Eala’s flag-bearing role symbolizes a blend of established grit and youthful promise. Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, who skipped the ceremony to focus on athlete prep, has set a “satisfying” target of 60 golds – a step up from Cambodia’s 58 but short of Manila 2019’s record 149. With Thailand favored as hosts, the Azkals of volleyball aren’t just marching; they’re marching toward history, one flag wave at a time.
As confetti fell and anthems swelled, Bagunas summed it up: For every Pinoy kid kicking a ball in the streets, this one’s for you. Bangkok’s ready – so are we.
Match Schedule Snapshot:
| Team | Opponent/Date | Venue/Time |
|---|---|---|
| Alas Pilipinas Men | Myanmar/Dec 13 | Pool B/ TBD |
| Indonesia/Dec 16 | Pool B/ TBD | |
| Alas Pilipinas Women | Thailand/Dec 11 | Pool A/6:30 p.m. |
| Singapore/Dec 12 | Pool A/ TBD |