Dante Alinsunurin showered praise on Vince Mangulabnan, his former player at National University, as they faced off as head coaches in the UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball tournament.
Alinsunurin remains at the helm of the NU Bulldogs, while Mangulabnan enters his first season as the head coach of the Ateneo Blue Eagles, with his former NU teammate Peter Torres serving as an assistant coach.
The young guns made sure to challenge their former mentor, putting up a tough fight.
National U narrowly survived Ateneo’s attack, securing a hard-fought victory, 23-25, 26-24, 27-25, 29-27, on Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Kay Vince, siyempre, at kay Peter din sa coaching staff ng Ateneo, maganda yung naging performance nila. Sabi ko nga, as a dati nilang coach, natutuwa ako sa naging coaching career nila na napunta sila sa Ateneo,” Alinsunurin said after the game.
“Sana magtuloy-tuloy sila kung ano man yung gusto nilang gawin sa school nila.”
He added, “Sobrang masaya ako sa naging pagiging coach nila ngayon kasi pinakita naman nila sa amin kung ano yung gusto nilang mangyari sa team nila. Maganda yung performance nila and pumunta sila dito na talagang ready na may mindset na gusto manalo.”
Mangulabnan, clearly moved by Alinsunurin’s kind words, acknowledged how much he looks up to his former coach, whose guidance has shaped his own coaching style.
Alinsunurin and Mangulabnan won two championships together at NU, with Torres also part of their success.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Nakakakaba pala talaga na sobrang nakaka-excite rin kasi sabi ko nga isa siya sa mga nilu-look up ko talaga ng coach,” said Mangulabnan, who transitioned from setter to coach.
“Kung mapapansin niyo, diba — the way he coaches, yung pagka-relax niya, parang yun yung naging basis ko na dapat pala yung coaching ganito. Sabi ko nga kung may nilu-look up talaga ako na sundan ang path sa coaching, that’s Coach Dante,” he continued.
With the match as close as it could get, Mangulabnan jokingly shared a parting word for his mentor.
“Thank you, Coach Dante, marami kaming natutunan ngayong game na ito. Coach, babawi kami sa’yo, coach, babawi kami.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
