LONGTIME Barangay Ginebra fan Dante Alinsunurin made sure to preach his favorite PBA team’s mantra once he took over the reins for Choco Mucho in the PVL.
From rallying the Gin Kings on as a fan growing up, coaching Choco Mucho gave him the chance to put that ‘never-say-die’ spirit into practice with his team that had its fair share of hardships like championship losses and abrupt player exits in years past.
Moments such as his squad’s most recent five-set escape over Nxled saw the never-say-die spirit come alive for the Flying Titans on the taraflex.
READ: Choco Mucho outlasts upset-conscious Nxled for 5th straight win
“Sa paglaki ko, talagang every time na may laro ‘yung Ginebra, matalo, manalo, medyo ang hirap ng pakiramdam minsan talaga (bilang fan),” Alinsunurin shared with SPIN.ph.
“Kaya sa mga ganung sitwasyon, talagang nag-momotivate sa akin (‘yung NSD spirit ng Ginebra) kasi alam ko ‘yung nararamdaman ng nasa babaan.”
In the long haul, Alinsunurin doesn’t want to see such a fighting spirit only when the Flying Titans are backed against the wall or forced to come from behind to get results.
The veteran mentor wants that optimism to be translated to a more positive on-court demeanor the rest of the way.
“Every time na off kami or hindi namin nagagawa ‘yung gusto naming gawin sa loob ng set, ‘wag dapat kaming sisimangot or ‘wag kaming mawalan ng tiwala,” Alinsunurin said.
That spirit has apparently rubbed off on Choco Mucho’s players already. Veteran spiker Royse Tubino is proof of that.
“Never say die talaga kami kasi kapag hindi pa tapos ‘yung laban, kailangan pa namin trumabaho para makuha namin ‘yung set. Hangga’t hindi pa tapos, may chance pa kami manalo,” said Tubino.
“Laging sinasabi sa’min na hindi pa tapos so kailangan pa lumaban para makuha namin ‘yung manalo at kailangan naming mag-trabaho.”
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