MANILA — Sinfronio “Sammy” Acaylar, the renowned volleyball coach, passed away on Thursday (January 30, 2025), just five days shy of his 67th birthday.
Acaylar, who had been battling a fever, was brought to the Perpetual Help Medical Center in Las Piñas City, where he succumbed to cardiac arrest at 1:30 a.m.
A respected figure in Philippine volleyball, Acaylar led the University of Perpetual Help to 14 NCAA men’s volleyball titles since 1985. His remarkable career also saw him claim the juniors title four years in a row from 1988 to 1991, and the women’s championship in 2013. In 2017, he became the school’s sports director.
Acaylar’s influence extended beyond collegiate volleyball, with stints as a coach for the national team.
He was part of the coaching staff when the national women’s team won a gold medal in the 1993 Southeast Asian Games in Singapore. He also served as head coach of the men’s national team during the 29th SEA Games in 2017.
In addition to his work with Perpetual Help, Acaylar coached several teams in the Philippine Superliga and the Premier Volleyball League, including Cignal, Sta. Lucia, and Gerflor.
His impact on the sport was far-reaching, with tributes pouring in from players and colleagues, including trusted deputy Macky Cariño, who expressed his grief on social media: “See you in the resurrection morning, my ever-dearest coach. We love you.”
Acaylar’s legacy in Philippine volleyball will be remembered for his mentorship, leadership, and passion for the sport.
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