Before Greg Ancheta could hear the roaring crowds and feel the confetti rain down on him after National University’s successful title defense in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Tournament, the Bulldogs’ main setter first endured a quiet, solitary battle.
For Ancheta, the road to NU’s sixth consecutive UAAP men’s volleyball crown was paved with the spectacular plays he delivered for star hitters Finals MVP Leo Ordiales, Buds Buddin, and Jade Disquitado, yes.
But behind that was the mental resilience he showed in overcoming crippling self-doubt and the tears he shed in the confines of his dormitory room.
A grueling Season 88 campaign saw pressure and expectations as the Bulldogs’ engine in a highly-competitive UAAP field featuring teams like the FEU Tamaraws, the UST Golden Spikers, and the Ateneo Blue Eagles.
But the 21-year-old playmaker rose above adversity to keep the Bulldogs comfortably atop the eight-team field once again.
When it mattered most, up against Season 88 Best Setter Ariel Cacao, Ancheta ultimately shone the brightest — averaging 25.5 excellent sets in the two-game Finals series to sweep FEU and push NU toward its sixth straight UAAP crown.
“Sobrang sarap sa feeling kasi nalagpasan ko yung mga challenges na dumating sa akin,” Ancheta shared, after tallying 31 excellent sets in Game 1 before dishing out 20 excellent sets in the title-clinching win in Game 2 last Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
“May times na sa higaan ko, umiiyak ako mag-isa. Hindi lang ako nagpapakita sa mga Kuya ko or sa mga kasama ko sa kwarto,” he added.
Those constant nights of self-doubt could have easily broken him, but Ancheta found a timely lifeline in the tough love and unwavering faith of Bulldogs head coach Dante Alinsunurin.
Acknowledging the heavy burden carried by his playmaker, Alinsunurin pushed him to his limits. He wanted Ancheta to realize his full potential and evolve not only as an athlete, but also as a leader capable of standing on his own.
“Well, may mga kuwento ’yan eh. Kasi sabi ko nga sa kanya, kailangan kong i-challenge yung sarili niya, i-challenge ko siya sa kung anong kakayanin niya. Kasi kilala ko naman siya na dadalhin niya kami sa championship. Siguro, naging okay sa kanya na sa challenge na tinanggap niya at nag-deliver naman siya sa ginawa niya.
“Yun, sobrang… Sa sitwasyon na yun, talagang ipinalabas ko talaga sa kanya na meron siyang ilalabas pa. Hindi lang dapat sasama sa coaching staff or sa mga nagtuturo sa kanya; ang importante, siya mismo mag-decide sa sarili niya kung anong dapat niyang gawin. Hindi lang sa paglalaro, sabi ko, pati sa buhay dapat ganun,” the concurrent Choco Mucho head coach in the Premier Volleyball League said.
“Hindi ito tulad ng kailangan mong umasa sa lahat sa ibang bagay, o sa ibang coaches na — dapat may sarili kang identity sa paglalaro. Ayun, sa pinakita niya nung semis and Finals, talagang sobrang ganda. Alam kong ready na siya talaga sa laro. Ayun maganda yung naging performance niya,” he went on.
Alinsunurin’s constant guidance and advice became the anchor that kept Ancheta steady through multiple turbulent moments in the season.
Instead of succumbing to the pressure of living up to NU’s dynasty or following in the footsteps of star setter Owa Retamar, Ancheta embraced Alinsunurin’s challenge to forge his own path.
“Pinanghawakan ko lang din talaga yung reminder sa akin ni Coach Dante na hindi ka pwedeng mag-rely lang sa mga coaches para makapaglaro. Dapat meron kang sariling identity. Salamat din talaga dahil binigay nila sa akin yung tiwala nila, at ‘yon, nagtrabaho na lang ako,” Ancheta said.
“Siyempre, gusto ko ring pasalamatan si Coach Dante na pinaglaban niya ako. Hinayaan din niya akong ipaglaban din yung sarili ko. Wala na akong kailangang patunayan kundi ibigay lang yung best ko every game. Siguro ngayon, ito yung pinakamasarap na championship na nakuha ko.”
