Alinsunurin nears new deal
Dante Alinsunurin is on his way to getting another tour of duty as head coach of the national men’s volleyball team in the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA) in Hanoi.
Alinsunurin said the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) already inquired about his availability after leading the men’s squad to a historic silver-medal finish in the previous biennial meet in Manila.
I’m just waiting for their word, but I’m always ready for the call.
His re-appointment was already approved by the PNVF national team commission headed by Tonyboy Liao and will be endorsed to the PNVF executive board for confirmation.
“They asked me if I’m still interested for the position and, of course, I told them that I am. I will always be available for the flag,” said Alinsunurin, who steered the men’s squad to the medal podium of the biennial meet for the first time in 28 years.
“I’m just waiting for their word, but I’m always ready for the call.”
While there’s already clarity in the formation of the men’s team, the women’s team remains without a head coach.
Multiple sources said F2 Logistics head coach Ramil de Jesus declined the offer following a meeting last week.
Alinsunurin said he already mapped out the program of the men’s team even without a formal appointment.
In fact, he is holding virtual training regularly with skipper Johnvic de Guzman at the helm.
“I’m up for the job because I wanted to continue what we have started in the last SEA Games,” he said.
“We wanted to improve our finish in 2019 and, hopefully, deliver a gold medal in this year’s SEA Games.”
“But nothing is cast in stone as the federation has yet to announce it.”