By MARK REY MONTEJO
National University head coach Dante Alinsunurin offered nothing but sweet words for his squad after completing a rare four-peat in the UAAP Season 86 men’s volleyball tournament on Wednesday, May 15, at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Bulldogs outlasted the Golden Spikers with a 25-21, 22-25, 25-17, 25-14 win to list their fourth straight title and sixth overall in the collegiate league.
Alinsunurin, who also handles Choco Mucho in the Premier Volleyball League, credited his players especially the seniors who provided great leadership to his team.
“Based sa naging experience ko, ‘to talaga ‘yong medyo mabigat, although ‘yong maganda rito ‘yong [mga] players talaga,” Alinsunurin stressed. “Nakita ko talaga na gustong-gusto nila na mag-champion kasi bawat training namin tinatrabaho nila ‘yong mga gagawin at di dapat gawin,” he said.
“Kung anong mga adjustments na pwede nilang gawin, kaya sobrang thankful ako sa naging leadership ng mga senior namin sa sitwasyon na ‘to na gusto talaga nilang mag-champion,” he added.
The Bulldogs won all of their UAAP titles under Alinsunurin’s guidance while he also led the Sampaloc-based squad to nine consecutive finals appearances.
“Kasi may mga naririnig kami na mahirap daw makuha ‘yong four peat then ‘yong pag last playing year mo na medyo ‘di makukuha ‘yong championship. Kaya sobrang thankful ako sa kanila na tinrabaho talaga,” Alinsunurin continued.
He also stated that their campaign this year is one of the books, noting his players deserved the championship.
“Hindi lang sa practice, pati sa dorm, sama-sama sila kaya sobrang memorable ‘tong naging championship namin. Credit talaga sa mga players ‘tong ginawa naming ‘to,”
