By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Living Stones International School-Bacolod secondary boys volleyball team head coach Sinfronio “Sammy” Acaylar passed away at the age of 66 early yesterday morning.

Reports indicate that Acaylar experienced a stroke on Monday evening, January 27, and was subsequently admitted to the intensive care unit at the University of Perpetual Help Hospital in Las Piñas City, where he remained until his passing.

Prior to his death, Acaylar led the Living Stones to a championship in the secondary boys volleyball team division of the Bacolod City Division Athletic Association Meet earlier this month.

Acaylar was highly regarded as one of the most influential coaches in Philippine volleyball, significantly contributing to the sport’s increasing popularity in the nation.

He is best known for guiding the Perpetual Help Altas to 14 championships in the NCAA men’s volleyball tournament, achieving a remarkable four-peat on two occasions.

Additionally, he has held the position of sports director at the university since 2017.

Acaylar also coached the University of the East Red Warriors during their campaign in the UAAP Season 80 men’s basketball tournament in 2018.

In his professional career, he coached teams, such as the Savouge Aesthetics Spin Doctors and the Imus City–AJAA Spikers in the Spikers’ Turf men’s volleyball league, as well as the Cignal HD Spikers and Sta. Lucia Lady Realtors in the now-defunct Philippine Superliga.

Most recently, he was involved with the Quezon City Gerflor Defenders in the PVL.

Moreover, Acaylar had previously coached the Philippine men’s national team, leading them to a bronze medal at the 1991 Southeast Asian Games.

He was also part of the coaching staff for the women’s team that secured a gold medal in the 1993 SEA Games./ASC, WDJ