Dante Alinsunurin found an unlikely source of renewed motivation in one of the most painful challenges life threw at him.
That grief, transformed into strength, helped him steer National University to its fifth consecutive UAAP men’s volleyball championship.
Alinsunurin’s older brother, Mike, passed away unexpectedly on May 6.
But instead of letting the heartbreak weigh him down, the decorated mentor used it as fuel — knowing that every match moving forward would be a tribute to his late sibling.
Mike, like Dante, was also a volleyball player, once suiting up for Adamson University.
And throughout Dante’s coaching journey in the UAAP and other leagues, Mike had always been a constant supporter.
Following NU’s Game 3 sweep of Far Eastern University to secure the Season 86 title, Alinsunurin shared that every step of their playoff run was dedicated to his brother.
“Siyempre kaya medyo nangingilid yung luha ko — siyempre inaalay ko rin sa kapatid ko ito na namatay nung nakaraan. Ito ay para sa kanya kasi every time naman na may laban ako, talagang sumusuporta siya,” said Alinsunurin after their 25-16, 28-26, 25-23 victory at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“Sabi ko, every time na aapak ako sa court, sinasabi ko na para sa kanya. Para sa kanya itong game na ito. Kaya sobrang emosyonal ako sa nangyayari sa amin. Sabi ko lang na pagdating ng ganitong sitwasyon, para sa kanya itong panalo na ito.”
Since Mike’s passing, NU powered through adversity — starting with a do-or-die semifinal against University of Santo Tomas, and finishing with a dramatic come-from-behind series win over FEU in the Finals.
FEU drew first blood with a five-set victory in Game 1, 22-25, 25-22, 13-25, 25-22, 15-13. But the Bulldogs fought back with their own five-set win, 25-20, 22-25, 25-15, 18-25, 15-11, to force a rubber match—where they completed the job in straight sets.
Mike was laid to rest just a day before the Game 3 finale, on Friday, in Calamba, Laguna.
The path to the title was never easy.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
NU had to move forward without the heart and soul of their previous squads — seasoned stars Joshua Retamar and Nico Almendras — who graduated after Season 86. Alinsunurin openly challenged his remaining players to step up, and through grit and hard work, they answered the call.
For the first time during NU’s five-season reign, they faced the real threat of elimination — with UST forcing a decider in the Final Four, and FEU drawing first blood in the Finals.
“Yes (this was the hardest), kasi nakita naman talaga na yung FEU hindi talaga bumibigay at talagang napush kami hanggang winner-take-all talaga. Sobrang hirap talaga. Sabi ko nga, importante lang lumalaban at tuloy lang yung ginagawa,” said Alinsunurin.
As confetti rained down, marking another milestone for NU’s dynasty, Alinsunurin held back tears — but not his gratitude.
“This season, sobrang totally team effort talaga — mapa-players, mapa-coaches, mga S&C ko, at mga trainers ko — sobrang trinabaho namin ’to onti-onti. May kanya-kanya kaming trabaho na ginampanan talaga. Sobrang thankful ako na naging maayos yung takbo ng team namin hanggang sa huling finals namin,” he said.
“Kahit nada-down kami, dahil sa mga coaching staff ko, mabilis nakakabalik yung mga players ko. Sobrang thankful ako sa lahat ng tumutulong sa amin para makuha namin yung kampeonato na ’to.”
#WATCH: Coach Dante Alinsunurin admits NU’s five-peat was the toughest battle yet 🏐
📹 @justinvalencia_ /Tiebreaker Times#UAAPSeason87 pic.twitter.com/n4Y4wQwuzH
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) May 17, 2025
