Kennry Malinis expressed his utmost gratitude to Perpetual head coach Sammy Acaylar for giving him his first break back when he was still with the Altas more than two years ago.
Malinis and Acaylar faced each other for the first time last Wednesday in the 2022 V-League Men’s Collegiate Challenge when National University took on Perpetual in the semifinals at the Paco Arena.
The two camps figured in a messy breakup after Malinis was linked to a couple of UAAP schools back when he was still playing for the Altas. The former CESAFI Boys’ Volleyball MVP later on revealed that he already made amends with Acaylar and the rest of the team.
“Past is past eh. So kung ano ‘man ngayon, kung nasaan naman ako ngayon masaya naman ako pero syempre okay naman din kami sa kabilang side. Okay naman kami,” said Malinis after the Bulldogs swept the Altas in the semis.
“Syempre nandoon pa rin yung respeto, syempre siya (coach Sammy Acaylar) yung kumuha sakin dati at ano na rin, happy na rin ako kung nasaan ako ngayon. Saka okay naman kami both sides kasi parang wala na e, parang sayang yung taon kung ilalagay pa sa galit kaya happy happy din,” he continued.
NU bagged a hard-fought, 25-22, 25-22, 25-16 victory at Perpetual’s expense which nabbed another finals appearance just months after taking home the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference crown,
“Siguro po naka-chamba lang talaga,” said Malinis when asked about the win. “Pero gaya na rin sa program na binibigay ng coaches namin, nag-tiwala lang din kami sa kanila and ayun, nakuha namin yung panalo.”
NU will face fellow UAAP school University of Sto. Tomas in the Game One of the Men’s Collegiate Challenge Finals on Sunday at 10:00 AM.
Get V-League stories, schedules, and matchday access first.
Join the league community for official updates and subscriber-only opportunities.
Join V-League