Kennry Malinis faced his former school University of Perpetual Help System Dalta for the first time since transferring to National University on Wednesday evening.
Malinis and the Altas figured in a messy breakup back in 2020 after the former was linked to numerous UAAP schools despite already suiting up for the Las Piñas-based school in the scrapped NCAA Season 95 men’s volleyball tournament.
Perpetual head coach Sammy Acaylar, who was the one who brought the former CESAFI Boys’ Volleyball MVP from Cebu to Manila, even called out Malinis publicly for his actions during the height of the issue.
Speaking for the first time since the unfortunate breakup, Malinis shared that both camps have already buried the hatchet. He also said that he remains grateful to both Acaylar and Perpetual for giving him the chance to showcase his wares.
“Past is past eh. So kung ano ‘man ngayon, kung nasaan naman ako ngayon masaya naman ako pero syempre okay naman din kami sa kabilang side. Okay naman kami,” said Malinis after the Bulldogs swept the Altas in the 2022 V-League Men’s Collegiate Challenge semis.
“Syempre nandoon pa rin yung respeto, syempre siya (coach Sammy Acaylar) yung kumuha sakin dati at ano na rin, happy na rin ako kung nasaan ako ngayon. Saka okay naman kami both sides kasi parang wala na e, parang sayang yung taon kung ilalagay pa sa galit kaya happy happy din,” he continued.
Malinis, who has been playing well for NU, was limited to just three points in the 25-22, 25-22, 25-16 victory over Perpetual which catapulted them to another finals appearance just months after winning the 2022 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference.
“Siguro po naka-chamba lang talaga,” said Malinis when asked about the win. “Pero gaya na rin sa program na binibigay ng coaches namin, nag-tiwala lang din kami sa kanila and ayun, nakuha namin yung panalo.
“Ibibigay namin lahat ng best namin para makuha namin yung championship.”
Malinis and the Bulldogs will go up against fellow UAAP school University of Sto. Tomas in the finals of the Men’s Collegiate Challenge on Sunday at 10:00 AM.
