National University’s UAAP Season 87 Men’s Volleyball title will always be extra special for head coach Dante Alinsunurin.
With seven UAAP Men’s Volleyball titles under his belt, Dante Alinsunurin has proven to be a serial winner as the longtime tactician of the NU Bulldogs.
But out of all the championships he has won with NU, it’s title number seven that might just be the most meaningful one for Alinsunurin.
On the surface, Alinsunurin’s seventh UAAP men’s volleyball title cemented his name in the history books, with the Bulldogs becoming the first team to achieve a five-peat since the FEU Tamaraws’ dynastic run between 1946 to 1958.
For Alinsunurin, though, the significance of NU’s Season 87 title goes beyond its place in UAAP volleyball lore.
“Sobrang special kasi ‘yun nga, ‘yung mga struggle namin, hindi lang talaga sa laro namin kundi sa labas din. Even mga players namin may mga naging problema, may mga injuries talaga, kaya sa family ko talaga sobrang thankful ako,” Alinsunurin shared moments after NU secured its five-peat on Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena against the FEU Tamaraws.
“Siguro ito na talaga ‘yung pinakamaganda sa naging career ko, sa [lahat ng] naging championship ko para dito sa NU.”
Season 87 was far from a straightforward path for the Bulldogs, who found their backs against the wall when the stakes were at their highest.
National U nearly suffered an early exit against the UST Golden Spikers in the Final Four, and were forced to play a rubber match in order to clinch their finals ticket against the FEU Tamaraws.
In the Finals, the Morayta-based side drew first blood against the Bulldogs, and came close to taking the title in two games before a spirited rally led by Buds Buddin and Obed Mukaba forced a decider.
“Well, syempre, sobrang ganda, syempre credit na rin sa FEU talagang pinush nila kami, hanggang kung saan kami. Sa akin kasi, parang credit sa mga players ko na mula Game 1 talaga, pinush talaga nila ‘yung sarili nila hanggang makuha ‘yung five-peat na ito,” reflected the Bulldogs’ tactician.
Off the court, Alinsunurin’s brother, Mike, also passed away prior to NU’s do-or-die game against the Golden Spikers. Painful as it was, however, Alinsunurin turned this grief into motivation, knowing that Mike continues to watch over him and the Bulldogs from the heavens.
“Sobrang thankful lang talaga ako, kung hindi lang din sa sarili ko. Kasi syempre, itong game na ito, inaalay ko sa kapatid ko na namatay noong nakaraang araw. Kasi alam ko na mas matutuwa siya sa akin pag nakita niya na champion ako,” Alinsunurin said of his older brother’s impact.
Patience pays off
On top of everything, Alinsunurin believes that National U’s latest title romp is the culmination of a long and grueling journey to becoming a breeding ground for winners.
In a rare show of vulnerability, the longtime tactician couldn’t help but recall a period when recruitment was a struggle for the Bulldogs, with top collegiate prospects brushing them off due to a lack of visibility and winning credentials.
“Sobrang thankful lang sa nagiging sitwasyon kasi pinaghirapan talaga mula nung simula talaga. Nung umpisa na mahirap ‘yung recruit kasi hindi kilala ‘yung team at nung simula, talagang hindi kami pinapansin,” Alinsunurin said as he held back tears.
But today, in both the men’s and women’s ranks, National U has become synonymous with winning, with Season 87 going down as a second-straight Golden Double for the school’s volleyball programs.
“Sobrang thankful lang na ‘yung mga bagay namin na pinagtatrabahuhan is nagbubunga. So continue lang palagi, and kung sino man ‘yung magustuhan or ilagay namin sa NU, mag-continue pa,” an emotional Alinsunurin continued.
Dante Alinsunurin himself has gone on to produce several men’s volleyball stars within National U, including well-traveled ace Bryan Bagunas among many other household names.
“Hindi lang naman namin gusto na mag-champion dito. Gusto namin ‘yung mga players namin is lumevel up mula sa Pilipinas, hanggang sa ibang bansa para mas gumanda ‘yung programa na hindi lang sa NU, kundi sa buong Pilipinas.”
Images courtesy of the UAAP Media Bureau.