Latest UAAP crown is NU’s toughest title run, says Alinsunurin

NU Bulldogs coach Dante Alinsunurin after steering his team to a sixth consecutive UAAP men’s volleyball championship.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — After National University remained the golden standard in the UAAP men’s volleyball, coach Dante Alinsunurin believes achieving a sixth consecutive crown was the most challenging and special yet.

The Bulldogs saved the best for last, sweeping top seed Far Eastern University, 26-24, 25-22, 25-22, in the UAAP Season 88 Finals Game 2 on Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.

READ: UAAP Finals: NU Bulldogs claim ‘six-peat’ with sweep of FEU Tamaraws

Coach Dante Alinsunurin, Greg Ancheta, Leo Ordiales, Buds Buddin, and Jade Disquitado talk about their latest title run. #UAAPSeason88 @inquirersports pic.twitter.com/FRqRTafeB3

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) May 9, 2026

Alinsunurin felt big relief after overcoming the challenges of the elimination round and keeping his Alas Pilipinas stars Leo Ordiales, Buds Buddin, Jade Disquitado, and Peng Taguibolos on the same page with the other Bulldogs.

The longtime NU coach had to keep his stars’ feet on the ground amid their experience in the FIVB World Championship and a bronze medal finish in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games.

“What makes this one different is that it’s really special because most of our players are new and some are with the national team. This season was about rebuilding—fixing and strengthening their chemistry as a team,” said Alinsunurin in Filipino.

“I think the process we followed really worked. I always told my fellow coaches that we had to trust the process. This six-peat is very special because we went through so many struggles along the way.”

Alinsunurin won his eighth crown in 11 straight finals appearances.

The Bulldogs also own the second-longest dynasty in  UAAP men’s volleyball, next to FEU’s reign from 1946 to 1958.

READ: UAAP Finals: Behind coach’s guidance, NU Bulldogs near ‘six-peat’

NU Bulldogs celebrate after wining their sixth consecutive UAAP men’s volleyball championship.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

But what makes Alinsunurin hungry for success every year is player development.

“One of the biggest reasons we keep pushing ourselves is because we want our players to reach their full potential—not just in the national team, but internationally as well,” he said.

“That’s really the direction of our program. We want their careers to grow beyond the Philippines. Our goal is for them to eventually play internationally. That’s why we continue to study, attend training camps abroad, and learn as much as we can so we can gain recognition. Whatever we learn overseas, we bring back here so that when our players compete internationally, they’ll be ready.”

More than their title run, Alinsunurin relished another good men’s volleyball crowd just like last year’s title series with FEU— a testament to Philippine men’s volleyball’s continuous rise. Game 2 had 11,526 fans witness NU’s latest crowning moment.

“I’m actually even more excited for next season because people are really starting to follow men’s volleyball now,” said Alinsunurin.

“Back during some of our past championships, we were the ones giving away tickets. Now, people are actually buying tickets just to watch our games. I’m really thankful not only to the NU fans, but also to the FEU fans and everyone who came to watch. I just hope the support continues to grow, and hopefully next season we can give the fans even better and more exciting games.”