Colgio de San Juan de Letran assistant coach Aleksi Lahteenmaki wanted to see the world, and his love of volleyball became his ticket to make it possible.
At just 22, Lahteenmaki left Finland and packed his bags to bring his coaching caliber to the Letran women’s volleyball team in the NCAA, hoping to reshape the game and offer a fresh perspective.
His vision and approach helped the Lady Knights made quite the waves in Season 101, going undefeated in 15 consecutive games and reaching the finals for the third straight time.
But who exactly is Aleksi Lahteenmaki?
Volleyball runs in Lahteenmaki’s DNA with his mother previously competing for the Belarus national team and his father donning the Finland uniform on the international stage during their youth.
Lahteenmaki also used to play competitively, suiting up for Finland's Under-18 national squad before joining Oriveden Ponnistus, a professional club in Finland. There, he met Fabio Menta, the volleyball tactician who brought him to the Philippines.
"Fabio came to Finland to work in the club where I was helping the club so I met Fabio there. And we clicked. Our friendship started four years ago so that’s why I’m here," Lahteenmaki told GMA News Online.
When Menta was offered the chance to coach the University of the Philippines women’s volleyball team in the UAAP, he asked Lahteenmaki if he would be interested in working in the Philippines as well, since the women’s volleyball teams of UP and Letran share the same backer.
Without hesitation, Lahteenmaki jumped at the opportunity.
"I work in Finland with Fabio Menta for three years then last summer, Fabio called me and said that ‘we have a job for you in the Philippines, do you want to come?’ I said, yes and I want to experience the world so now I’m here," Lahteenmaki added.
Lahteenmaki has since turned Letran into a legitimate force to be reckoned with. Under his guidance, players like Judiel Nitura, Vanessa Sarie, Gia Maquilang, and Lara Mae Silva have raised their game, allowing the Lady Knights to arrange a third straight finals showdown with defending champion De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde.
Although most of his players are older than him, Lahteenmaki said it has never been an issue from day one.
"From the first day, I told them that I may be younger than you but if you trust me and our coaching staff, we’re gonna work together and that’s the only thing that matters," he said.
"When I came here, I said our only goal is the finals and the championship so now, we’re halfway there."
—JKC, GMA News
