COLLEGE of St. Benilde coach Macky Carino was nearly speechless after winning over his mentor University of Perpetual Help coach Sammy Acaylar.
The third-year Lady Blazers coach could not find the words to describe how he felt after CSB denied UPH, 16-25, 25-19, 25-11, 25-21, in the stepladder semifinals of the NCAA women’s volleyball tournament at The Arena in San Juan on Tuesday.
“(I’m) overwhelmed,” he finally blurted out after gathering his thoughts.
Carino, who was Acaylar's deputy for the Altas and for the Cignal men's and women's team in the Philippine Super Liga, used his familiarity with the veteran mentor's system to help the Lady Blazers battle back from a set down.
But Carino was quick to give credit to the national team coach for all that he's learned and applied to his team's success.
“Isang dekada na ako assistant sa kanya kaya medyo (advantage) ko na kilala ko siya,” he said. “Siya ang nagturo sa akin kaya sobrang saludo ako sa kanya, ‘di ako magiging ganito kung ‘di dahil sa kanya.”
CSB will clash with defending champion Arellano on Friday for the right to meet thrice-to-beat San Sebastian in the finals and Acaylar wished Carino and the Lady Blazers the best of luck.
“’Good luck’ sabi niya sa akin,” said Carino when asked what did Acaylar tell him when they shook hands after the game.
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