Alas Pilipinas men’s tormentor Iran has advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship.

This, as the World No. 16 slipped past 12th-ranked Serbia, 23-25, 25-19, 24-26, 25-22, 15-9, in a grueling five-set epic battle in the Round of 16 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Iran was the culprit in the Philippines’ ouster from the 32-country tournament.

Down two sets to one, the Iranians regrouped in Sets 4 and 5.

Only a 23-22 count, Ali Haghparast and Morteza Sharifi found the kills that sent the match into one last frame.

Only a one-point showdown, 6-5, Haghparast and Mohammad Valizadeh found the attacks and Ali Hajipour got the ace that sent them up four, 10-5.

The Serbians could not recover from there, as Serbia’s Drazen Luburić suffered a costly service error in the end, sending the Iranians to the Final 8.

Iran’s Hajipour and Morteza Sharifi top-scored for their team with 23 points each, as they survived Luburić’s 27-point showing.

Meanwhile, Czechia is also through to the quarterfinals after rising past Tunisia in straight-set manner, 25-19, 25-18, 25-23, earlier in the day.

Iran and Tunisia will battle for a semifinal spot on Thursday, September 25, at the same venue. (ABS-CBN News)