Dante Alinsunurin considers himself the happiest man in Philippine volleyball right now.
This declaration comes after his National University Bulldogs secured a spot in the Finals of the UAAP Men’s Volleyball Tournament.
NU took a 25-23, 22-25, 25-22, 25-21 victory over the De La Salle Green Spikers on Wednesday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
With this achievement, he will now be part of two Finals series this week.
His professional team, Choco Mucho, will also vie for the championship in the Premier Volleyball League after a dominant semifinals run capped by a 23-25, 26-24, 25-19, 25-20 win over Petro Gazz last Sunday.
“Sa volleyball ngayon, ako ‘yung talagang pinakamasaya ngayong tao dahil nakuha ko yung finals sa PVL at sa UAAP,” said the soft-spoken Alinsunurin.
The Bulldogs have been the benchmark in UAAP men’s volleyball over the past decade, entering their ninth straight Finals appearance after their win against the Green Spikers.
In the past eight seasons starting in Season 75 (2013), National U racked up five golds and three silvers. This year, it is gunning for a fourth straight championship.
NU will face University of Santo Tomas anew in the best-of-three Finals starting this Saturday, as they did in last season’s finale.
(C) Joaqui Flores/PVL
Meanwhile, the Flying Titans have reached new heights with Alinsunurin in charge since the 2023 season of the country’s only pro league.
Choco Mucho entered its first-ever Finals last conference but settled for silver against Creamline. They will have a rematch in the 2024 All-Filipino Conference Finals starting this Thursday.
“Sabi ko lang basta trabaho lang, ang importante lang makatulong ako sa players at sa management,” said Alinsunurin.
“Kung ano ‘yung pwede kong maitulong sa team, gagawin ko para maging successful ang NU at Choco Mucho.”
Alinsunurin is one of the most decorated tacticians on the men’s side. He’s won multiple titles in the UAAP, while also leading the national team to a historic silver finish in the 30th Southeast Asian Games.
