Mike Santos sets higher goals as Alpha Insurance breaks through

After a rocky start to their 2025 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference campaign, Alpha Insurance finally notched a victory, checking off one of head coach Mike Santos’ primary objectives. But as the Protectors enter the second round, Santos is already challenging his young squad to build on their momentum and aim higher.

The Protectors endured a grueling four-match losing streak to start the season, but they finally broke through with a commanding 25-21, 26-24, 25-19 sweep over a depleted PGJC-Navy side at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.

For Santos, securing at least one win in the first round was a crucial step. Now, he wants his team to carry that confidence forward and battle their way into semifinal contention.

“Actually, ini-aim ko talaga na kahit maka-isang panalo lang from the first round. Then ike-carry over na namin ‘yung laban sa second round na tatalunin namin lahat ng dapat naming talunin kung gusto naming umabot ng final four,” said Santos after their breakthrough victory.

With the team just two months into its formation, chemistry and experience have been key challenges. Their early losses, including a heartbreaking five-setter against powerhouse Savouge, exposed their growing pains. However, Santos believes those setbacks have shaped them into a tougher unit.

“Sabi ko nga sa kanila, kung tutuusin kami ang underdog talaga dito. Knowing na ‘yung team is two-month-old pa lang talaga. Talagang nahihirapan pa kami tumapos ng laro kagaya niyan, medyo dikit pa rin. Siguro ‘yung panalo bigay ko talaga sa kanila dahil sa na-gain nila na experience gawa ng sunod sunod na talo,” the PLDT assistant coach shared.

Despite their struggles, Alpha Insurance showed flashes of brilliance, particularly in closing out the tightly contested second set against Navy. Santos sees this as a sign that his team is finally learning how to finish matches strong.

“‘Yung mga pagkatalo na ‘yon, nakita ko na lack of chemistry talaga, nakita ko na nandun na kami, mananalo na, then bumibitaw pa. Sign talaga ng team na kulang na kulang pa sa chemistry,” he admitted.

While the win was a milestone for Alpha Insurance, it was bittersweet for Santos, who previously served as an interim coach for Navy in the 2024 Invitational Conference during the absence of his close friend, head coach George Pascua. The Sealions, already facing challenges, were forced to play without key veterans Greg Dolor, Marvin Hairami, and Omar Lioc, who were pulled out for basic military training. The absence of star spiker Joeven Dela Vega due to an undisclosed illness further weakened their lineup.

“Medyo masakit din sakin kasi kahit papaano, kilala ko rin ‘yang mga ‘yan. Pero ‘yan naman kasing Navy, team pa rin talaga ni coach George (Pascua). Nag-interim lang ako, tinuloy ko lang ‘yung program niya, so ‘yun. Kinausap ko sila kanina, binabati ko naman sila. Sabi ko nga, bigyan lang natin sila ng magandang laban, which is ginawa ng Navy kanina,” Santos said.

Despite the adversity, Santos has no doubt that Navy will find a way to bounce back.

“Kudos sa kanila na kahit anong mangyari, talagang nilalaban nila. Iba talaga ang Navy,” he added.