AC Guinto has been stellar for Arellano University's campaign in the NCAA Season 99 men's volleyball tournament, being one of those who had significant contributions in the Chiefs' run.
At the end of the elimination round, Guinto was the second best scorer for the Chiefs with a total of 103 points, and is part of the top 10 in the league's best servers (10th) and receivers (5th).
It will not come as a surprise, though, as Guinto said he came from a family of volleyball players.
"'Yung tatay ko po, tapos ngayon po kapatid ko kinukuha ng La Salle," the 20-year old Guinto told GMA News Online.
(My father played, now my sister is being recruited by La Salle.)
His sister Amor, along with some of her teammates, were recently paid a visit by De La Salle University head coach Ramil de Jesus.
Guinto, a product of Sta. Cruz Academy of Lubao, Inc. in high school, said he started playing the sport when he was in Grade 4 and even made it to the Central Luzon Regional Athletic Association meet.
Now with the Chiefs, Guinto said it was his coaches from Pampanga who brought him to Arellano to be under the guidance of PVL champion and Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses.
"Sobrang okay po kasi wala po siyang pressure na ibibigay sa'yo," Guinto said about Meneses. "'Yung assistant coach niya na si Coach Bryan [Vitug] chill din magpaensayo."
(He's very okay because there is no pressure being put on. His assistant coach Bryan is also chill in practices.)
Unfortunately, the Chiefs' run ended on Sunday as they fell to Colegio de San Juan de Letran in the first round of the stepladder semis.
"Ngayon, ang masasabi ko lang is ginawa namin ang best namin pero kulang talaga. Pumabor sa kanila 'yung laro," Guinto said.
"Mas maaga po kami magpapakondisyon ng katawan," he added, as they plan to prepare early for the league's centennial season.
(What I can say is we did our best but it was not enough. The game favored them... We will start conditioning early.)
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
