It has been several days since the NU Nulldogs stamped their class in the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Volleyball Tournament, but this bears repeating: It wasn’t easy. Just ask Greg Ancheta.
Ancheta orchestrated another championship for the Bulldogs, but behind the steady sets and composed performances was a battle few people saw.
Greg Ancheta Comes Clean on Personal Struggles
Before helping NU complete a historic six-peat in the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Volleyball Tournament, Ancheta admitted he quietly dealt with self-doubt and emotional struggles throughout the season.
“Sobrang sarap sa feeling kasi nalagpasan ko ‘yung mga challenges na dumating sa akin,” Ancheta shared after the Bulldogs clinched the championship against the FEU Tamaraws.
“May times na sa higaan ko, umiiyak ako mag-isa. Hindi lang ako nagpapakita sa mga kuya ko or sa mga kasama ko sa kwarto,” he added.
Tasked with steering a loaded NU squad featuring Finals MVP Leo Ordiales, Buds Buddin, and Jade Disquitado, Ancheta carried the pressure of keeping the Bulldogs’ dynasty intact against a highly competitive field that included FEU, the UST Golden Spikers, and the Ateneo Blue Eagles.
Greg Ancheta Raises His Level
When the Finals arrived, Ancheta rose to the occasion against Season 88 Best Setter Ariel Cacao, averaging 25.5 excellent sets in the two-game title series.
Head coach Dante Alinsunurin revealed that challenging Ancheta mentally became part of his development throughout the season.
“Well, may mga kuwento ’yan eh. Kasi sabi ko nga sa kanya, kailangan kong i-challenge ‘yung sarili niya, i-challenge ko siya sa kung anong kakayanin niya. Kasi kilala ko naman siya na dadalhin niya kami sa championship. Siguro, naging okay sa kanya na sa challenge na tinanggap niya at nag-deliver naman siya sa ginawa niya,” Alinsunurin said.
“Sa sitwasyon na ‘yun, talagang ipinalabas ko talaga sa kanya na meron siyang ilalabas pa. Hindi lang dapat sasama sa coaching staff or sa mga nagtuturo sa kanya; ang importante, siya mismo mag-decide sa sarili niya kung anong dapat niyang gawin. Hindi lang sa paglalaro, sabi ko, pati sa buhay dapat ganun,” he added.
“Hindi ito tulad ng kailangan mong umasa sa lahat sa ibang bagay, o sa ibang coaches na—dapat may sarili kang identity sa paglalaro. Ayun, sa pinakita niya nung semis and Finals, talagang sobrang ganda. Alam kong ready na siya talaga sa laro. Ayun maganda yung naging performance niya.”
Rather than crumble under the pressure of following former NU star setter Owa Retamar, Greg Ancheta embraced the challenge of building his own identity inside the Bulldogs program.
“Pinanghawakan ko lang din talaga yung reminder sa akin ni Coach Dante na hindi ka pwedeng mag-rely lang sa mga coaches para makapaglaro. Dapat meron kang sariling identity. Salamat din talaga dahil binigay nila sa akin yung tiwala nila, at ’yon, nagtrabaho na lang ako,” Ancheta said.
“Siyempre, gusto ko ring pasalamatan si Coach Dante na pinaglaban niya ako. Hinayaan din niya akong ipaglaban din ‘yung sarili ko. Wala na akong kailangang patunayan kundi ibigay lang ‘yung best ko every game. Siguro ngayon, ito yung pinakamasarap na championship na nakuha ko.”
The struggles were real for Greg Ancheta. And yet he came out better than ever. He’s got another title to boot.
