PH men’s volleyball team looks to continue momentum under Alinsunurin

The Philippine men’s volleyball team celebrates a point against Thailand. INQUIRER PHOTO/AUGUST DELA CRUZ

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine national men’s volleyball team looks to continue its momentum after Dante Alinsunurin retained his spot as the squad’s head coach following his success in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.

Alinsunurin’s appointment was officially announced Thursday by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation, Inc., Ariel dela Cruz and Sherwin Meneses will be serving as his deputies.

Odjie Mamon was named the head coach of the women’s team.

Alinsunurin steered the Philippines to the silver medal in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, the highest finish the country has had in the regional meet.

PNVF President Ramon “Tats” Suzara said Alinsunurin and Mamon’s main goal is to focus on the coming 2021 SEA Games in Hanoi and come up with the best possible squad for the competition.

“Everybody is affected by the pandemic, but we are hoping to maintain our finish in the last SEA Games,” said Alinsunurin, who also coaches National University men’s team. “We have to work really, really hard if we want to win a gold medal.”

Alinsunurin is already an established presence in the men’s volleyball scene, leading the Bulldogs to four of their UAAP titles.

National Team Commission head Tonyboy Liao and Jerry Yee, who leads the National Coaches Commission, recommended the composition of the coaching staff to the PNVF board.

“Our appointed coaches will do whatever it takes to assemble the best ever team in the SEA Games with their vast coaching experience even during this situation,” said Suzara. “After careful and stringent deliberation and evaluation, the federation selected coaches Odjie and Dante, both of who brings with them impressive and credible credentials.”