Dante Alinsunurin emerged as a central figure amidst a whirlwind of final matches, shaping the destinies of two teams in consecutive face-offs within the Premier Volleyball League's Second All-Filipino Conference and the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference.
His marathon week kicked off on a Thursday when he took on the role of mentor for Choco Mucho in Game 1 of the PVL Second All-Filipino Conference finals.
Transitioning swiftly, Alinsunurin found himself leading National U-Sta. Elena the next day, guiding them to secure the Spikers’ Turf title in a gripping final.
As the dust settled, Alinsunurin faced a crucial match on Saturday, with the Flying Titans challenging Creamline for PVL glory.
Despite a spirited effort, the UAAP champion coach witnessed his team succumb to their opponent, marking the conclusion of a rollercoaster journey in the PVL title series.
Reflecting on the unique and demanding position he found himself in, Alinsunurin expressed profound gratitude.
"I am truly thankful for what happened because in this situation, we really pushed ourselves to secure the championship," he shared, moments after Choco Mucho's Game 2 loss to Creamline at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
In the face of mixed results, Alinsunurin highlighted the satisfaction derived from coaching two teams in the finals of their respective divisions.
"No matter the fatigue and challenges, when you achieve that and there is, will be, whatever the result, it will be fulfilling for us," he added, underscoring the journey that lay ahead for Choco Mucho.
Despite the Flying Titans falling short in their inaugural finals appearance, Alinsunurin expressed contentment with the team's performance throughout the series.
"I am very happy with our performance in the game, in terms of skill, the game plan we had in mind, we executed it," he remarked, acknowledging the formidable challenge posed by Creamline.
As adjustments unfolded on the court, Alinsunurin recognized the complexity of the series.
"Every time we adjusted, they adjusted too, making this series incredibly challenging."
Nevertheless, he found solace in the team's achievement, breaking the streak of four consecutive seventh-place finishes.
Looking ahead, Alinsunurin conveyed the team's commitment to use their performance in the season-ending conference as motivation for the 2024 PVL season.
"The important thing I tell them is, every conference we need to improve," he concluded.
