Dante Alinsunurin shed light on National University’s failed gamble in the final moments of the fifth set during their UAAP Season 87 Men’s Volleyball Tournament Finals opener against Far Eastern University on Sunday afternoon at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
With the Tamaraws clinging to a slim 11-10 lead in the deciding set, Alinsunurin made a crucial double substitution. He pulled out starters Leo Ordiales and Greg Ancheta in favor of sophomore opposite hitter Jan Abanilla and rookie setter Jeffe Gallego.
However, the move did not pan out as hoped. Gallego immediately committed a service error, while Abanilla’s crosscourt attack failed to clear the net — giving FEU a commanding 13-10 lead that proved insurmountable.
The Tamaraws closed out the set and the match, handing NU a rare Finals loss.
The defeat marked the Bulldogs’ first Finals match loss since dropping the Season 79 opener against the Ateneo Blue Eagles on May 2, 2017.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Sabi ko sa coaching staff ko, based doon sa nagiging sitwasyon namin sa mga sets na natalo kami, sa second at sa fourth, doon talaga sila nagdo-dominate. Kaya sabi ko, kailangan ko magpalit para makita ko yung capabilities nila, kasi nung second set, kahit papaano, naka-score at nakahabol kami dahil sa double substitution na ‘yon,” Alinsunurin told Tiebreaker Times following NU’s 25-22, 22-25, 25-13, 22-25, 13-15 loss to FEU.
“Ginamble ko ‘yon kasi sabi ko nga, every time na meron kaming sitwasyon, kailangan talaga namin makita kung paano kami mag-iimprove pa,” he added.
While many fans might point to the risky late substitution as the turning point, Alinsunurin sees the loss differently.
For him, it was NU’s own errors that ultimately cost them the game. The Bulldogs committed a staggering 34 errors, including the final three points that handed FEU the win — bringing them one step closer to their first UAAP men’s volleyball title since Season 74 in 2012.
Now, with Game 1 in the rearview mirror, Alinsunurin hopes his team can channel their heartbreak into motivation for a do-or-die Game 2 on Wednesday, May 14, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
That mindset is crucial as NU looks to keep its “Drive for Five” alive — an attempt to become the first team in the Final Four era to capture five straight championships.
“Hindi naman ‘yon yung naging turning point para sa amin. Talagang more on sarili namin yung nagdikta ng laro ‘eh, tulad nung second set sa mga unforced errors namin na we were dominating the game, pero ito na yung mga unforced errors sa serve namin. Sa halip na may chance kami na manalo or makapuntos, ‘eh nawawala sa amin dahil sa mga ganon na sitwasyon na nawawala yung momentum para sa amin,” Alinsunurin explained.
“Sabi ko nga, walang problema kung ano ‘man maging resulta niyan — ang importante ay yung bata matututo kasi ‘yon naman talaga yung game, na yung mga sitwasyon, it can go either way. Ang sa akin kasi, as long as may mga chance na mga ganon — kung mag-iimprove ba siya at magagawa niya — I’ll take that gamble anytime.”
#WATCH: Dante Alinsunurin, Leo Ordiales, and Buds Buddin reflect on their Game 1 stumble and lay out the game plan to keep their #UAAPSeason87 title dreams alive 🏐
📹 @ErnestTuazon /Tiebreaker Times pic.twitter.com/JzFL3tzSTp
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) May 11, 2025
