The late Sammy Acaylar was more than just a coach—he was a guiding hand, a father figure, and a steadfast supporter of his players. He went above and beyond to ensure they had the resources, motivation, and belief to reach their full potential.
From personally covering expenses for his players at Perpetual to fiercely advocating for those at Gerflor amid alleged wage disputes, Acaylar exemplified a commitment to his athletes that transcended the taraflex.
A Life-Changing Influence
One prime example is Capital1’s Des Clemente, who nearly walked away from volleyball—until Acaylar persuaded her to continue her career, setting the stage for her collegiate and professional journey.
“Syempre sobrang nagulat ako sa balita. Biglaan ‘yung nangyari sa kanya saka sobrang nasaktan talaga ako sa nangyari kasi ako ‘yung isa sa mga nagbago ang buhay dahil sa kanya,” Clemente shared with Tiebreaker Times.
“Sobrang laking tulong niya sa career ko, siya ‘yung unang coach na nagtiwala sa’kin since college ako. Siya ‘yung nagtiyaga, siya ‘yung tumulong inside and outside the court, sobrang laking bagay nung ginawa niya sa buhay ko, hindi lang sa volleyball siya naging coach ko pati outside nagpakatatay siya sa akin,” she added.
Coming out of high school as a scrawny, unpolished talent from National University Nazareth School, Clemente had lost confidence and almost stepped away from the sport.
Instead of pursuing college, she planned to find a job and devote her time to her mother—but Acaylar had other plans.
“Feeling ko hindi,” she replied when asked if she believed she would have reached this point in her career without Acaylar. “Kasi nung time na kinuha niya ako, wala na sa isip ko ‘yung volleyball. Wala na sa isip kong mag-aral ng college. Gusto ko mag-work na lang.”
At the time, Acaylar, who had long been handling Perpetual’s men’s volleyball squad, was also entrusted with the women’s team.
His first order of business was to recruit the lanky Clemente, a player he had been closely monitoring since her high school days for her height and potential to dominate the middle.
“Galing ako ng NU high school. After ko sa NU, umuwi na ako sa’min. Parang sabi ko ayaw ko na maglaro, gusto ko na lang mag-work, mag-focus kasama ‘yung mama ko,” Clemente recalled.
“Nung nanggaling ako sa NU, ina-eye niya na raw pala ako, matagal na kitang hinahanap ganyan. Dun pa lang sa words na ‘yun parang na-feel ko na gusto niya ako, gusto niya akong kuhain,” she said.
Although hesitant at first, Clemente was convinced when Acaylar spoke about his plans for her—how he saw her growth and potential. His words reignited her confidence and persuaded her to take the leap.
“Siya ‘yung taong nagbigay sa’kin ng confidence, siya ‘yung nagsabi na ‘Kaya mo ‘yan, patunayan mo na hindi ka lang matangkad. Patunayan mo lang, tutulungan kita, magtiwala ka lang’,” Clemente said.
“Pinuntahan niya pa ako sa bahay, pabalik-balik siya imagine from Las Piñas to Bulacan. Sinundo at hatid niya pa ako, binibigyan niya ako ng allowance, sabi niya dito ka na (sa Perpetual), aalagaan kita, magtiwala ka lang at papalakasin kita,” she continued.
“Yun ‘yung mga words na sobrang nakapagpa-boost sa’kin na sabi ko, gusto ko ‘tong coach na ‘to. Bibihira ‘yung coach na ganito mag-alaga, so sa’kin, hindi lang siya coach, talagang siya ‘yung naging magulang ko nung nasa Perpetual ako. Ako ‘yung unang player na nakuha niya nung college nung hinawakan niya ‘yung Perpetual (women’s).”
A Legacy Beyond Championships
(C) Dennis Abrina
It wasn’t the only time Acaylar went out of his way for his players. Clemente shared that the multi-titled coach also helped her financially at his own expense, staying true to his promise of taking care of her and showing his unwavering commitment to her well-being both on and off the court.
“Tinulungan niya ako sa financial din saka sa mga hindi mo ine-expect na gagawin ng isang coach, sa kanya ko naranasan ‘yun. Hindi lang siya maalaga sa loob ng court, sobrang maalaga rin niya after ng training,” said Clemente.
“Grabe ‘yung bonding namin talaga. Kahit saan siya pumunta, lagi kaming magkasama. Grabe ‘yung memories na na-build naming dalawa together. Until now, nandoon pa rin ako sa part na hindi ko pa rin tanggap ‘yung nangyari kasi iba, iba ‘yung impact niya sa buhay ko,” she added.
Clemente has come a long way since then, earning three Best Middle Blocker awards in the NCAA during her time with the Lady Altas before eventually being recruited by Ramil De Jesus to play for De La Salle University in UAAP Season 81.
She also had stints with Cignal and Sta. Lucia in the Philippine Super Liga, both under Acaylar, and even played for F2 Logistics in 2017 and 2023.
“Talagang finocus niya ako sa lahat ng aspect ng volleyball. Sobrang blessed ko na meron akong Coach Sam noon,” she said.
The 6-foot-1 middle blocker may not have emerged as an immediate star when she transitioned to the Premier Volleyball League, but she certainly carved out a role that left teams eager to secure her services.
After the Cargo Movers folded in late 2023, Clemente was acquired by Petro Gazz before eventually making the jump to Roger Gorayeb’s Capital1, where she seemed to have finally found a home.
Last Saturday night, the 28-year-old middle blocker headed into their match against Akari with one clear goal—to honor Acaylar with a win.
Unfortunately, the Solar Spikers struggled against the Chargers, 9-25, 17-25, 26-28, suffering their seventh loss in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference, which denied Clemente the perfect tribute to her late coach.
“Actually, pupunta ako sa lamay niya ngayon,” Clemente said after the loss. “Yung game na ‘to sana… de-dedicate ko sana sa kanya, pero hindi maganda ‘yung naging outcome,” she added, breaking down in tears.
“Siguro ano na lang, nandoon ako sa punto na kahit meron kaming tampuhan ni Coach Sam nung last playing year ko,” she shared, referring to her transfer to La Salle. “Hindi ‘yun naging hadlang para kalimutan ko lahat ng tinulong niya sa buhay ko.”
Clemente remembered Acaylar as selfless, always putting the needs of his players above his own and going to great lengths to ensure they had everything they needed to succeed.
And for her, Philippine volleyball didn’t just lose a coach, but a guiding light who always pointed players in the right direction and put them in a position to thrive.
“Sobrang laking kawalan kasi si Coach Sam, lalo na ngayon bago siya mawala, ang dami niyang napatunayan, napa-champion na teams. Nakakalungkot lang kasi akala ko hanggang sa anak ko siya pa rin ‘yung magiging coach ng magiging anak ko,” Clemente expressed, emotionally.
“Sayang kasi alam ko marami pa siyang matutulungan eh lalo na sa men’s volleyball. SiCcoach Sammy ‘yung taong kapag sa player niya, hindi niya kayang hindi tulungan. Ganung klase si Coach Sam. kapag nakikita niya na nahihirapan na ‘to financially, tutulungan niya. Ganun si Coach Sam,” she continued.
“Ang laking kawalan niya sa volleyball kasi nawalan ng isang coach na handang mag-alaga at tumulong sa isang player para mabago ‘yung buhay. Kasi nang dahil sa kanya nabago talaga ‘yung buhay ko, so naniniwala ako na kung buhay pa siya, hindi lang ako, marami pa, sobrang dami pang players na matutulungan niya.”
While Acaylar’s legacy is often measured by the number of championships he won throughout his illustrious coaching career, for Clemente, his true legacy lies in the lives he changed and the careers he shaped.
