Sinfronio “Sammy” Acaylar, one of the winningest volleyball coaches in the NCAA, passed away on Thursday morning, Jan. 30, due to cardiac arrest. He was 66.
Multi-titled volleyball coach Sammy Acaylar passes away
At a glance
Sinfronio “Sammy” Acaylar, one of the winningest volleyball coaches in the NCAA, passed away on Thursday morning, Jan. 30, due to cardiac arrest. He was 66.
A long-time coach of the University of Perpetual Help, Acaylar was known for steering his teams to 14 men’s NCAA titles since 1985 including four straight crowns for the Altas from 2010 to 2014. He has also coached the University of the East Red Warriors in the UAAP.
Apart from bringing accolades in the collegiate scene, Acaylar has also mentored the national men’s volleyball team in the 2017 Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where they wound up sixth.
He was also part of the coaching staff of the national women’s team that won the gold medal in the 1993 SEA Games in Singapore.
He later on became Perpetual Help’s sports director in 2017.
Acaylar also dabbled in the club scene, where he coached Cignal and Sta. Lucia in the now-defunct Philippine Superliga, Gerflor in the Premier Volleyball League, and Savouge Aesthetics in the Spikers’ Turf.
Recently, he was the head coach of the Living Stones International School (LSIS) Bacolod City secondary volleyball boys team that won the gold in the Bacolod City Division Athletic Association Meet.