National University head coach Dante Alinsunurin in the UAAP Seaosn 87 men’s volleyball Finals. Photo from UAAP Media. MANILA — National University head coach Dante Alinsunurin has been threading through a lot en route to winning his latest UAAP men’s volleyball championship.
The Bulldogs fought through injury and adversity to complete a 5-peat and earn themselves the Season 87 men’s volleyball crown, with the Jhocson-based hitters even needing to oust University of Santo Tomas in a do-or-die clash in the Final 4 to return to the championship stage.
However, aside from the factors inside the taraflex, Alinsunurin also had to deal with the loss of his brother Mike.
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“Sobrang ganda talaga ng series na ‘to,” the multi-titled mentor said moments after earning the title on Saturday as they defeated Far Eastern University. “To my players, mula day one, pinush nila ‘yung sarili nila na makuha namin tong five-peat na ‘to.”
“Sobrang thankful talaga ako hindi lang sa sarili ko. Iitong game na ‘to, inaalay ko sa kapatid ko, namatay noong nakaraang araw. Para sa kanya tong game na ‘to. Alam ko na mas matutuwa siya para sa akin ‘pag nakita niyang champion kami,” he added.
Alinsunurin shared the development through a social media post last May 7, the day when National U ousted University of Santo Tomas in the semifinals.
Coach Dante emphasized that this, alongside the struggles and challenges that the Bulldogs had to go through, makes Season 87 a bit more special for him on a personal level.
“Ito yung pinaka na-experience ko na sobrang ganda ng laro,” he pointed out. “Siguro mas nangibabaw yung experience namin sa Finals. Ito naman talaga yung naging goal namin even after Game 1. Kaya naging maganda yung resulta kahit na pilit nila kaming pinu-push pababa? Yung mga players ko hindi bumigay.”
“Sobrang special kasi yun nga, may mga struggles kami hindi lang sa laro, kundi sa labas din ng court. Even mga players namin, may injuries talaga, and ako family matters.”
“Kaya sobrang thankful ako sa panalong ‘to. As of now, ito yung pinaka maganda sa naging career and championships ko pagdating rito sa UAAP,” he added.
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