MANILA, Philippines: Coach Dante Alinsunurin and setter Joshua Retamar, two of the major driving forces in the Philippine men's volleyball team's historic silver medal finish in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, is grateful for another shot at the national team.
Alinsurin and Retamar are back as an assistant coach and an invitee to crack the national team's lineup, respectively, as the Filipinos battle the bests of the world in the FIVB Men's World Championships in September 2025 at home.
"When we held a meeting, I was told that I will be one of the assistant coaches to coach Sergio [Veloso]," said Alinsunurin.
"I'm really thankful because despite what happened before, they gave me a chance to return to the national team. I'm really happy that I get to return."
Alinsunurin head-coached the 2019 men's national team that claimed the historic silver medal at the SEA Games with Retamar, also his player at NU Bulldogs in the UAAP, being the main setter of that Philippine team.
Alinsunurin was relieved of his post following his signing as head coach of the Choco Mucho Flying Titans in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) last year, the additional coaching gig allegedly made the PNVF remove him as main tactician of the national team.
Retamar, on the other hand, was in hot waters when he complained about the Federation's 'lack of support' for the national team.
But as it turned out, the concerned parties have patched things up and are now working to form a competitive team for the Worlds next year.
"I'm really happy because I got invited again to try out for the national team preparing for this big of a tournament. I'm really going to work hard to make the lineup," said the 22-year-old Retamar.
"A lot of kids will be happy [to witness such a competition] but we [the players] are going to be happier since we will get to face our idols."
Veloso, together with his assistants Alinsunurin, and Odjie Mamon, will begin forming the 25-player pool of the national team after the completion of the ongoing Spikers' Turf Open Conference and UAAP Season 86 volleyball tournaments.
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