Alas Pilipinas men hope to show early progress under new coach

MANILA, Philippines — Alas Pilipinas men’s squad parades seasoned Italian coach Angiolino Frigoni in the SEA VLeague first leg starting on Friday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Frigoni, a two-time Olympian head coach for the Italian women’s team in the 1992 Barcelona and 2000 Sydney games, makes his debut after signing a contract in June from FIVB’s recommendation last year.

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Coach Dante Alinsunurin relished his opportunity to be part of the 70-year-old tactician’s staff with Matteo Antonucci, Odjie Mamon, trainer Dexter Clamor, physiotherapist Yuichi Akaba, and team manager Jerome Guhit.

READ: Alas Pilipinas men name Italian Angiolino Frigoni as new coach

“Sobrang thankful kasi may dumating na ganung tao na nagtiya-tiyaga samin para tumaas pa ‘yung level ng style ng play namin dito sa national team kasi in the past years talaga, ‘yun ang nagiging problema namin. Kung paano maiangat ‘yung men’s,” said Alinsunurin.

“Talagang tyinatiyaga niya kami hindi nga lang players e, pati coaches natututo kami sa ginagawa niya. Sobrang nakakainspire lagi pumunta ng training kasi marami kang mapupulot sa kanya, hindi lang players pati coaches.”

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Alinsunurin will work hand-in-hand with Frigoni in handling the men’s team for leg 1 led by Bryan Bagunas, Josh Ybañez, Vince Patrick Lorenzo, Jade Disquitado, Kim Malabunga, Noel Kampton, EJ Casaña, Owa Retamar, Rwenzmel Taguibolos, Leo Ordiales, Gerard Diao, Lloyd Josafat, Louie Ramirez and Buds Buddin.

“Tumataas ‘yung competition within the team pa lang talaga. Kasi dati talagang [nung] nagco-coach ako, kung ihahalintulad ko sa sitwasyon ngayon sobrang taas na. Masasabi ko na malaki ‘yung chance namin mas umangat pa ‘yung laro namin na kung ano ‘yung nangyari samin last SEA Games, mas i-angat pa namin siguro dahil sa ginagawa niyang training sa team,” said Alinsunurin, who led the national team to a historic silver medal in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.

Marck Espejo will miss the campaign as he is undergoing rehabilitation, leaving big shoes to fill for young guns Buddin, Kampton, Ramirez, and Disquitado.

READ: Alas Pilipinas men finish 10th in AVC Challenge Cup

Alinsunurin believes Buddin will step up in his first national team stint, following his second straight championship with the Bulldogs in the UAAP and a bronze medal in Asean University Games Beach Volleyball with Leo Aringo. 

“Sobrang thankful ako sa naging sitwasyon dahil alam mo yun, pinatawag siya, nakita ng coach, ayun. Tuloy tuloy na hanggang sa ma-lineup siya. Basta continue lang ‘yung kung paano siya [maglaro]. ‘Yung taong ‘yun sobrang dedicated lagi sa laro. Hindi ‘yan nagpapahuli sa training, ang importante sa kanya day to day talaga all out lagi. Continue lang para mas malayo pa yung marating,” said the Alas assistant coach. 

Alas battles Vietnam first on Friday opener at 6 p.m. The Philippines takes on Indonesia before battling Thailand on Sunday.

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