Dante Alinsunurin gambled, and Jeffe Gallego made sure to deliver the win.
National University executed a reverse sweep against Adamson University, 20-25, 17-25, 25-18, 25-19, 15-12, on Wednesday to grab solo second in the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Volleyball Tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Gallego and Jade Disquitado’s entry in the third set proved to be the turning point that allowed the Bulldogs to avoid the Soaring Falcons’ upset axe and improve to 5-1.
“Sa sitwasyon kasi, kapag kailangan talaga, sumusugal talaga ako sa sitwasyon kasi may tiwala ako sa mga player ko na every time na nagti-training kami, lahat pinapagawa ko talaga. And kanina talagang nag-struggle si Greg Ancheta and si Leo Ordiales, so siguro ito na yung time para magpalit ako,” said NU head coach Alinsunurin.
“Siguro naging maganda lang yung bunot ko, nagtuloy tuloy yung kumpyansa nila and pagdating sa huli, sila yung talagang nagpanalo sa amin.”
Gallego was a prized rookie out of NU’s high school program, having won the Season 86 High School Boys’ Volleyball Finals MVP in his final year with Nazareth School.
While it was not a smooth start to his collegiate career, he persevered.
The 20-year-old Cadiz, Negros Occidental pride delivered a breakout performance against Adamson with 22 excellent sets to go with four points built on three blocks in just four sets of action.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Thank you kay Coach Dante kasi kinuha po ako sa college and yun nga po, as galing po sa high school, wala po talagang sistema sa setting nung high school. Kaya pagpasok ko po (dito sa college), parang nahihirapan po ako,” admitted Gallego.
“Sa past few games namin, hindi po ako nagamit and pang-sub lang po ako. Ginagawa ko lang po lagi na ready ako palagi sa bench kasi alam ko pong gagamitin po ako and nasa isip ko po na kailangan kapag ginamit ako, gagawin ko yung best at 100-percent ko na makakaya ko.”
With a performance that even bested his Adamson counterpart Lourenz Domingo with just 21 excellent sets on five sets played, Gallego showcased why he was recruited to play for the four-time defending champions.
Alinsunurin also expressed his belief that the sky’s the limit for Gallego as long as he keeps working hard.
“Siguro kaya ko kinuha yung batang yan, siguro yung character niya kasi nung high school siya talagang sobrang palaban,” said Alinsunurin on Gallego.
“Ngayon, sa ginawang performance niya siguro talagang sobrang maganda and kung ano yung gusto namin gawin sa loob ng court, sistema sa opensa namin nadadala niya and yung control niya sa bola naging maayos na rin. Sa akin, continue niya lang yug ginagawa niya sigurado malayo pa yung mararating niya.”
