Madz Gampong was extra motivated heading to the finals of the PNVF Champions League on Saturday night.
After all, he will be reuniting with his former team Go for Gold-Air Force — only this time, though, they’re on opposite sides of the Taraflex.
“Siyempre motivation din siya sa akin,” said Gampong, who played a huge role in the Aguilas’ back-to-back finals appearances in the 2019 Spikers’ Turf season.
“Alam namin malakas sila pero naghanda rin po kami para sa kanila. ‘Yung sakripisyo ginawa namin, iniwan namin yung pamilya namin kaya doon din ako napush na kailangan namin mag-champion e dahil sa pamilya. Saka ginagawa namin tulong tulong kami ng mga kasama ko saka coaches namin para manalo,” he added.
But it was nothing personal for the 26-year-old Tawi-Tawi native, who revealed that it was him who parted ways with his long-time allies.
“‘Di naman sa kumalas, nagpaalam naman ako nang maayos sa kanila na sabi ko, mag laro po ako sa Dasma kung puwede,” shared the former NU stalwart.
“Pinayagan naman ako ni Coach Dante [Alinsunurin] kaya ano lang, naglaro lang ako kung anong kaya ko hindi ko naman minamaliit sila na kayang kaya namin, hindi. Basta naglaro lang ako ng kung anong meron ako saka kung anong talent na meron ako,” he added.
He also expressed his utmost gratitude to his former mentor Dante Alinsunurin, who gave him the green light to explore other opportunities.
“May halo na ring swerte [yung panalo] kasi ako yung kumalas tapos nag champion pa. E ang dami ring nag-champion sa kanila [dati],” said Gampong.
“Pero thank you rin kay Coach Dante kasi proud siya sa akin. Isa rin yun sa gusto kong marinig na proud siya sakin kasi nandito ako. Kaya maraming maraming salamat kay Coach Dante.”
Gampong proved to be a torn to his former squad in the finals, putting up 13 points to help Dasma in the four-set win.
With that, Alinsunurin could not be more proud of his former ward.
“Sobrang bilib ako kasi nandoon pa rin yung kundisyon ng katawan niya, ‘di siya nagpapabaya.Talagang ano e, sobrang ganda ng kilos niya halos siya talaga yung nagdala sa team niya,” said Alinsunurin, who is also the coach of the Philippine national team.
“Talagang yung heart ng champion talaga nadala niya sa team niya. Kaya sobrang nagpapasalamat talaga ako doon sa laro niya kanina.”
After conquering the national stage, Gampong is set to fulfill his long-time dream of representing the Philippines on the international stage as Team Dasma will fly to Iran next year for the Asian Men’s Club Volleyball Championship.
“Nung nalaman ko yun nagulat ako kasi siyempre iba yung labanan doon saka hindi naman namin inexpect na mag champion talaga kami pero pangarap din po namin,” he vowed.
“Masaya kami dahil nasuklian yung pinaghirapan namin.”
