DANTE Alinsunurin moved a step closer to seeing championship double in both college and pro ranks.
In the past year alone, Alinsunurin led Choco Mucho to its first-ever Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Finals appearance in its five-year history. The Flying Titans, however, were swept in the best-of-three title series by their sister team and seven-time PVL champion Creamline.
It was also a year to remember for National University as Alinsunurin & Co. completed a 16-game tournament sweep en route to a championship three-peat.
READ: Choco Mucho knocking on PVL Finals door after rout of Chery Tiggo
In just a matter of months, a historic moment looms for the highly decorated volleyball coach.
Alinsunurin’s Choco Mucho side is one win away from securing a second-straight trip to the Finals following a two-game unbeaten semifinal run to date in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference, including a breakthrough victory over sister club Creamline for the first time in five years.
Over in UAAP Season 86 men’s volleyball, NU put up a brave fight in five sets over La Salle to seize the No. 2 seed and the twice-to-beat bonus to also move one win away from entering the Finals in a bid for its fourth straight UAAP crown.
Needless to say, the next few weeks will be a rollercoaster ride like no other for the title-seeking Alinsunurin to cap what could be the most successful volleyball season of his illustrious 15-year coaching career.
And Alinsunurin, having been through the highs and lows of the sport across both ranks, is ready to give it his all and more to steer both of his powerhouse squads to championship glory.
“Sobrang saya ko, sobrang excited ako na sana makuha namin ‘yung goal namin between these two teams (Choco Mucho and NU). Lalo kaming magiging, alam mo ‘yun, sobrang high talaga namin na makuha namin ‘yung championship dito sa UAAP at sa PVL,” Alinsunurin told SPIN.ph.
“Basta ako, trabaho lang. Kung anuman ‘yung pangangailangan ng mga team ko, gagawin ko,” he added.
Dante's fight for his family
With an immense amount of pressure bound his way, Alinsunurin shared how he continues to draw strength and inspiration from the most important people in his life who have supported him throughout his coaching journey — his family.
“Disiplina lang din talaga sa’kin sa sitwasyon na ‘to na siyempre kasama ko ‘yung pamilya ko. Ginagawa ko rin talaga ‘yung trabaho ko and ‘yung best ko para sa pamilya ko.
“Umpisa pa lang, tinatrabaho namin kung ano ‘yung gusto naming mangyari sa team namin. Ako naman, as a coach, ineenjoy ko lang ‘yung ginagawa ko,” said Alinsunurin.
“Kung anuman ‘yung nagiging sitwasyon ko ngayon, talagang sobrang thankful lang ako na nabibigyan ako ng ganitong pagkakataon. Sobrang thankful lang talaga,” he added.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
