After missing his opportunity in 2014, Dexter Clamor finally realized his dream of joining the Philippine men’s national volleyball team 10 years later, being named one of Sergio Veloso’s assistants for the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup for Men.
Clamor, the head coach of Spikers’ Turf champion squad Cignal, is part of a loaded Alas Pilipinas coaching staff that includes National University and Choco Mucho tactician Dante Alinsunurin and University of Sto. Tomas chief strategist Odjie Mamon.
The former Perpetual Help setter said he is thrilled to be around some of the best coaches in the Philippines and is eager to learn from their coaching styles.
“I’m blessed that I am surrounded by the best coaches in the country and one of the best coaches from Brazil. I’m learning a lot from their style and experiences as a coach,” Clamor said following the Philippines’ loss to Bahrain on Tuesday.
Back in 2014, Clamor was included in the PLDT Home TVolution training pool, which was bannered by Peter Torres, Jeffrey Malabanan, and actor-sportsman Richard Gomez, formed to compete in the Asian Men’s Club Volleyball Championship.
Despite the competition being club-based, the Philippine Volleyball Federation decided to form a squad composed of the best players in the country to represent the nation in the tournament, which the country hosted.
However, as big as the opportunity was, the former NCAA MVP had to beg off due to personal reasons.
(c) Dexter Clamor
“Noong 2014 actually, nakasama ako sa training pool ng national team para sa 2014 Asian Men’s Club Volleyball Championship pero hindi ako naka-attend ng practice kahit isang beses,” revealed the four-time Spikers’ Turf champion coach..
“At that time, may regular job ako and medyo mahirap kasi wala pang masyadong support sa national team noon. So practicality-wise, I chose my regular job rather than my dream to be part of the national team,” added Clamor, who was a public school teacher at the time.
To this day, Clamor considers it one of his biggest regrets in his career.
“Of course, it’s every athlete’s dream na makasama sa national team,” said the former NCAA Best Setter.
“That’s why hanggang ngayon, it’s still one of my biggest regrets. Sayang eh.”
But as fate would have it, the opportunity came knocking on Clamor’s door ten years later, and he vowed to make the most out of his second chance this time around.
“Now, given this opportunity again, I’m really happy and grateful for this. I will always thank God for opening the doors again and giving me this chance to be a part of the national team,” said Clamor.
“Hindi ko ‘man nakuha yung opportunity noon as a player, na-achieve ko pa rin naman siya ngayon as an assistant coach. For that, I’m very grateful.”
