MANILA, Philippines – Emilio “Kungfu” Reyes Jr. and Dante Alinsunurin are volleyball enthusiasts, and their hectic weekend was evidence of their unwavering commitment.

The two seasoned strategists traveled all over the nation to carry out their coaching responsibilities in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) and the UAAP, demonstrating an unwavering dedication to their art. In less than twenty-four hours, Reyes traveled from San Juan City to Passi City, and Alinsunurin traveled the opposite way, from Passi City to Pasay City.

At the City of Passi Arena on Saturday, the Flying Titans faced Chery Tiggo in the final day of the preliminary round, putting Alinsunurin, the head coach of Choco Mucho in the PVL and National University (NU) in the UAAP, in a difficult situation. Reyes, the head coach of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Tigresses and Chery Tiggo’s assistant coach, had to balance his responsibilities on two separate islands in a matter of hours.

Alinsunurin took an early 5:30 AM flight back to Manila after leading Choco Mucho to a grueling victory over the Crossovers, 25-18, 25-23, 26-24, their sixth consecutive victory in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference. His task was to coach the NU Bulldogs against Far Eastern University in a pivotal UAAP men’s volleyball match at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. But despite his best efforts, NU lost heartbreakingly on Sunday afternoon, 25-27, 14-25, and 23-25.

After his team’s arduous triumph in Passi, Choco Mucho’s head coach, Dante Alinsunurin, spoke about his passion and dedication to the game. He highlighted how his love for coaching is just growing as a result of volleyball’s explosive national growth in popularity.

Alinsunurin admitted that his desire to grow and learn has only been heightened by the sport’s continuous advancements. He is still committed to improving as a coach and leading his team through tough competition. He finds inspiration in volleyball’s rising popularity in the Philippines, which intensifies his desire to see the sport flourish.

He also emphasized the importance of acknowledging the responsibility that comes with being a part of a movement that raises the sport’s profile. He thinks that teams like Choco Mucho are essential to maintaining volleyball’s upward trajectory as the sport gains popularity and support from fans.

Alinsunurin is dedicated to his goal of nurturing talent and fortifying volleyball’s national base even as the sport continues to thrive. His enthusiasm and commitment show not only his own motivation but also his optimism for Philippine volleyball’s future.

The weekend was even more hectic for Reyes. At the Filoil EcoOil Centre on Saturday afternoon, UST defeated the University of the East in a tense four-set match, winning 28-26, 22-25, 25-23, and 25-15. However, there was no time to rejoice. In order to make his trip to Iloilo for Chery Tiggo’s 6:30 PM PVL game, Reyes had to head straight to Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 3:45 PM.

His flight was postponed until 5:00 PM, which added to the drama. Nevertheless, he defied all chances and arrived in time for Chery Tiggo’s match, entering the crowded City of Passi Arena as the action was getting underway for the second set.

“The same is true with the other coach, Sherwin, because coach Dante is a collegiate athlete. Siguro yang dedication and passion lang. Reyes acknowledged Alinsunurin and Creamline-NU women’s coach Sherwin Meneses, saying, “Parang lifestyle na siya so used to it, kahit tanungin mo kung napapagod ba kami or ano.”

The development of Philippine volleyball overshadowed the fatigue of these seasoned teachers. All three of the PVL’s provincial games in the conference sold out, and the enthusiasm of the audience confirmed their faith in the sport’s ascent.

A similar viewpoint was expressed by TNT coach Chot Reyes, who emphasized how the sport’s ongoing development acts as inspiration. He admitted that although physical fatigue is unavoidable, the spirit and morale are still high, particularly in light of volleyball’s growing appeal. According to him, the enthusiasm for the game should never wane as long as the body can keep up.