University of Perpetual Help System DALTA head coach Sammy Acaylar has added another feather to his cap by leading the Altas to a three-peat championship victory in the NCAA Season 98 Men’s Volleyball Finals.
Gold After Gold
The decorated mentor has been one of the most dominant coaches in the NCAA since he took the reins of the Las Piñas-based school in 1984.
“From the start ako talaga ang coach ng Perpetual. Actually, hindi lang ‘yung 13 kung bibilangin natin eh kasi I started 1984, so nagkaroon ako ng five-peat na championship, and not only volleyball men, kung hindi meron rin kaming volleyaball women at volleyball boys,” he recalled.
“So ‘yung medyo humaba, medyo sumikat na ‘yung volleyball, meron ng coach sa babae, meron ng coach [sa boys], nag focus na ako sa mens so ayun. So happy kasi ako ‘yung laging coach na nag cha-champion ng Perpetual,” he added.
This year’s championship win, where the Altas defeated San Beda University in four sets, 25-21, 25-20, 22-25, 25-22, was the 13th for Perpetual, tying them with Colegio de San Juan de Letran for the most championship titles in the league’s history. However, the victory was not without its challenges.
In the do-or-die game against San Beda, Perpetual was in danger of making the same mistakes they did in game two. Despite the pressure, Acaylar remained composed throughout the match and motivated his players to keep their heads up. His calming influence and strategic thinking helped the team overcome the resilient Red Spikers.
“Well, actually, I maintained my composure kasi I am the reflection my players, if incase na si-stress ako nagagalit ako, whatever, ganon din sila. So what I did is nag compose ako, nagbigay lang ako ng motivation sa kanila.” he shared.
“And of course, strategy kasi lumaban, lumaban ang San Beda eh, sabi ko nga psychologically if ‘yung team na gusto manalo, tumaas ang psychological nila, tas tayo ganon din kasi kailangan respetuhin din natin ang kalaban. Sa totoo lang lumakas ang San Beda.”
The Unseen Challenge
Acaylar has been instrumental in shaping Perpetual’s winning culture, leading the Altas to a five-peat championship from 1985 to 1990. He is the only coach who has led the team to victory in title matches, and his focus and dedication have earned him respect and admiration from his players and peers.
Beyond his coaching skills, Acaylar’s commitment to his players is also noteworthy. During the pandemic, when some of his players went home, he found a way to keep the team intact. He took some players to live with him, and they did online training for two years to keep his players in shape. He also had the players live with him to prevent other schools from poaching them and convincing them to transfer.
“You know…. Malungkot ako nun eh, because ang mga players ko wala nasa sa amin, pinauwi na ng [province], of course, pandemic eh, so we have to respect that. So what I did lang is kahit di alam ng school namin na nag oonline training kami,” he recalled.
“And some of the players is sa akin tumira para lang hindi sila, hindi lang sila mawala sa paningin ko at hindi sila makuha ng ibang eskuwelahan kasi kinukuha sila ng ibang eskuwelahan,” he continued.
“So what I did is sa akin is pinatira ko sila sa akin, so nagkakaroon kami ng online training, and that is why na-maintain ko talaga sila.”
Acaylar’s focus is always on winning championships and keeping his team at the top every season. He believes that the awards he and his players receive are just a bonus.
For him, the most important thing is for his team to keep their winning culture alive.
Continuing the Dynasty
Acaylar is delighted with the team’s latest triumph, but he knows that the competition in men’s volleyball is getting stronger every year. He was surprised by San Beda’s performance this season, especially since they made it to the final four after 11 years.
Nevertheless, Acaylar is confident that with an intact lineup, headlined by Season and Finals MVP Louie Ramirez, Best Opposite Spiker Joshua Zareno, and Beach Volleyball MVP Jeff Marapoc, along with new addition Hero Austria, the Altas will be even stronger next season.
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Sammy Acaylar’s passion for coaching and his dedication to his team have made him one of the most respected coaches in the NCAA.
He has proven time and again that with hard work, focus, and a winning culture, anything is possible. His legacy at the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA is already secure, and his continued success will inspire future generations of players and coaches.
