BIÑAN CITY, Laguna — Volleyball coach Sinfronio “Sammy” Acaylar, who died 30 January due to cardiac arrest, will be buried on Wednesday at Heaven’s Park in Barangay Sto. Nino, a day after his 66th birth anniversary.

His remains lie in state at the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta (UPHSD) in Barangay Pamplona III.

There are prayer vigils held nightly at 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. until Tuesday for the former national team coach.

Interim head coach Macky Cariño, two of his former players Imus City Administrator Tito Monzon, Cignal HD head coach Dexter Clamor, Ms. Liwi Elizares of Alumni Affairs, Anton Tamayo of Perpetual Sports Department, UPHSD president Dr. Anthony Tamayo and UPHS Chair Brig. Gen. Antonio Tamayo are scheduled to speak during the wake.

Peter Cayco of Arellano University, Raymart Woo and CJ Saga of La Salle, coaches John Patrick Vicente, George Pascua and Emil Lontoc, as well as former national women’s team coach Dominnador Custodio and national players Kim Malabunga, Francis Saura and Louie Ramirez, have already paid their respects.

Fondly called “Coach Sam,” Acaylar steered Perpetual Help to an unprecedented 14 National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s titles since 1985.

Acaylar was part of the coaching staff of Russian coach Stanislav Lugailo when the national women’s volleyball team won a gold medal in the Southeast Asian Games in Singapore in 1993. He last served as a national coach for the men’s team during the 29th SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur in 2017.

He also coached Cignal and Sta. Lucia in the now-defunct Philippine Superliga before joining Gerflor in the Premier Volleyball League aside from coaching Savouge Aesthetics in the Spikers’ Turf.