Dexter Clamor and Louie Ramirez are determined to honor their late mentor, the esteemed coach Sinfronio “Sammy” Acaylar, as they gear up for the 2025 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference.
Clamor, now the head coach of Cignal, and Ramirez, one of the HD Spikers’ star hitters, both played under Acaylar at University of Perpetual Help System DALTA in the NCAA.
They thrived under Acaylar’s guidance, a legendary coach who led Perpetual to 18 NCAA championships across all divisions.
Clamor spent four years with the Altas, winning two NCAA titles under Acaylar. During his collegiate career, he also earned two Best Setter awards and an MVP honor. It was Acaylar who encouraged him to pursue coaching after his playing years.
“Si Coach Sam, siya talaga mentor ko. Nag-start ako sa kanya bilang player. Siya nag-push sa’kin na maging assistant coach. Nung naging head coach na ko’t nakakalaban ko na siya, iba ‘yung pakiramdam,” Clamor shared during the Spikers’ Turf media day on Monday.
“Nakakalungkot kasi ‘yung mentor ko nawala. Sa’kin lang, gagawin ko ‘yung best ko at lahat ng natutunan ko sa kanya, i-aapply ko. Hindi ko talaga siya makakalimutan. Malaking bagay ‘yung nabigay niya sa’kin, not only as a coach, ‘yung sa pagiging tao rin and a better person.”
Clamor and Acaylar later faced each other as rival head coaches in Spikers’ Turf, with Clamor leading Cignal and Acaylar coaching Perpetual and Savouge in separate conferences.
Meanwhile, Ramirez was one of the last players Acaylar mentored before his passing on January 30.
The 6-foot-3 wing spiker was a key member of the Alas Pilipinas Men’s team that won two bronze medals in the 2023 SEA V.League series—standing out as the lone NCAA representative in the squad.
Ramirez, a three-time NCAA champion and two-time season MVP under Acaylar, remains committed to carrying Perpetual’s legacy wherever he plays.
“Sobrang dala-dala ko pa rin yung mga sinasabi sa akin ni coach Sam lalo na yung last season ko sa NCAA, lalo na yung sinabi niya sa akin na gusto niyang dalhin ko yung buong Perpetual kahit saan ako magpunta,” said Ramirez, the 2024 Invitationals Finals MVP.
“Yun na lang yung dala-dala ko palagi na sinasabi niya sa akin. Napa-proud ako na hanggang ngayon is nagagawa ko pa kung ano yung gusto niya.”
