DANTE Alinsunurin is back with the Philippine men’s national volleyball team — but he won’t be calling the shots like he used to from 2019 to 2022.
The incumbent National University Bulldogs head coach will join another ex-national coach in Odjie Mamon as deputies to Sergio Veloso in the buildup to the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship to be hosted by the Philippines.
Alinsunurin reflected on his forthcoming national team comeback after relinquishing the post prior to taking on his first head-coaching job in the women’s game with the Choco Mucho Flying Titans in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL).
“Nung nag-meeting kami [with PNVF], sinabi lang sa’kin na ako ‘yung magiging isa sa mga assistant coaches kay coach Sergio (Veloso). ‘Yun ‘yung magiging papel ko dito sa national team.
“Sobrang thankful kasi kahit anong nangyari before, binigyan pa rin ako ng pagkakataon mag-serve sa men’s (team), sa national team kaya sobrang saya na nakabalik ulit ako dito sa position,” said Alinsunurin.
In terms of player selection, a 25-player national team pool is set to be revealed by April. Alinsunurin, however, was tight-lipped when asked about the squad’s prospective composition.
“Twenty-five players [ang kukunin] hanggang sa dumating ‘yung World Championship [na] 14 [na lang],” said Alinsunurin. “Ite-train talaga sila buong taon, kung sinuman makasama sa 25 (pool). Mag-cucut lang pagdating ng World Championship.”
From the Philippines to the world
To host another global showpiece following the recent success of the 2023 Fiba World Cup is a big deal in various respects for a sporting nation like the Philippines.
But looking at the bigger picture, Alinsunurin took pride in how the men’s game — and Philippine volleyball altogether — has been given a major opportunity to shine in the world stage and elevate the level of play in the country in the years to come.
“Excited ako na mag-hohost tayo ng ganitong sobrang laking liga. Sobrang thankful ako sa PNVF na dinala dito [ang 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship] para mas ma-showcase pa talaga yung men’s team dito sa Pilipinas.
“‘Yun naman ‘yung lagi naming sinasabi na ma-balanse [sana] ‘yung volleyball sa Pilipinas na pati yung men’s din makasabay din sa women’s,” Alinsunurin said.
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