ATENEO may be just a win away from clinching a sixth straight Final Four berth in the in the UAAP women's volleyball tournament, but Lady Eagles team manager Tonyboy Liao has one major concern.
Liao said Roger Gorayeb's entry as head coach of National University has suddenly made the Lady Bulldogs a major threat to the title-retention bid of the Lady Eagles, who currently lead the field with a perfect 9-0 slate.
Gorayeb is no stranger to Liao and the Lady Eagles, having led the Katipunan-based school to back-to-back runner-up finishes in Seasons 74 and 75.
The Lady Bulldogs have an even 2-2 record under their new coach and stand 4-5 overall.
“Kinakahabahan nga ako sa NU kasi andoon na si Roger,” Liao told Spin.ph. “I have a very high respect for Roger. I won't bring him with me to Ateneo (if I don't believe in him).”
“I know his working and coaching style but unfortunately his arrival at NU is quite late,” he added.
In their first encounter with the Lady Bulldogs with Gorayeb at the helm, the defending champions won in straight sets, 25-18, 25-21, 25-22.
Still that wasn't enough to ease the fears of Liao.
“Yes we were not very complacent facing NU even though we beat them 3-0 in the first round,” he said. “I still reminded the girls to stay focused and play their game like in the other games.”
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