CEBU CITY — Choco Mucho head coach Dante Alinsunurin displayed an intensity rarely seen from him after the team dropped the first two sets of its opening-day encounter against Capital1 on Saturday.
Usually calm and collected even in the tensest moments, Alinsunurin let his emotions show and challenged his wards to do whatever they could to help the team.
The rare display of fire helped spark the Flying Titans’ thrilling comeback win over the Solar Spikers, 22-25, 18-25, 25-17, 25-20, 15-8, at the SM Seaside Cebu Arena here.
“Siguro in-accept nila ‘yung challenge ko after nung second set. Talagang nag-focus ako sa galit para sa kanila,” said Alinsunurin in jest.
“Sinabi ko sa kanila na hindi ko kailangan kung magaling ka, kailangan ko ‘yung team na gustong manalo. ‘Yun siguro, na-challenge sila. Sobrang thankful ako sa naging response nila. Sana hindi ngayon lang ‘to, sana marami pa ring magawa sa next game namin,” he added.
Alinsunurin’s outburst did not go unnoticed by his players, with Eya Laure and Sisi Rondina-Rosales admitting that such a moment was rare. However, both acknowledged that his message got through to the team and helped fuel their comeback.
(C) PVL Images
“Si Coach Dante kasi, madalang lang talaga siyang magalit. So kapag nagalit siya, manginginig ka na at mapapaisip ka. Siyempre, alarming na nagagalit na siya, and ‘yun din siguro naging motivation na namin ‘yun na (parang) hindi na si Coach Dante ‘yung nakikita namin,” Laure said.
“Nag-e-evolve na rin talaga siya na malapit na siyang maging ‘rawr.’ Pero sobrang malaking tulong din ‘yung binibigay nilang instructions and feedback palagi, tapos may tono pang gano’n, magiging ka talaga,” she added.
Rondina-Rosales echoed Laure’s sentiments, stressing the importance of responding to the challenge and making the most of every opportunity after the Flying Titans found themselves on the brink of defeat.
“For me naman, nakita ko nung third set hanggang fifth set, and ayun, sabi nga, nagalit si Coach Dante. Parang naging alarming yung kanina, so buti nagising and lumaban kanina,” said Rondina-Rosales.
“Wala na rin kaming ibang ginawa kung saan kami aabutin. Huwag nating bitawan ang opportunities na dumarating sa atin.”
Laure finished with 22 points, 15 excellent receptions, and 11 excellent digs to record a triple-double. Meanwhile, Rondina-Rosales, who played in only three sets, tallied 12 points, including three of the Flying Titans’ final six points in the fifth set.
Alinsunurin, for his part, felt pleased with how his players responded to his challenge, hoping the hard-fought victory gives Choco Mucho the momentum it needs heading into its succeeding games.
