Roger Gorayeb feels for graduating players after Lady Stags fall short in NCAA finals

SAN Sebastian coach Roger Gorayeb admitted his wards fell short but said they have nothing to be ashamed after bowing to College of St. Benilde in the NCAA women’s volleyball championship.

The SSC belles entered the finals with a thrice-to-beat advantage but fell to the Lady Blazers, who had to go through two stages of the stepladder semifinals.

[See St. Benilde Lady Blazers topple thrice-to-beat San Sebastian to claim first NCAA women's volleyball title]

“Ang sabi ko lang sa kanila wala kayong dapat ikalungkot, wala kayong ikasasama ng loob,” said Gorayeb.

“Nakakahinayang pero alam niyo sa bawat isa sa inyo hindi niyo naibigay ang dapat niyong ibigay, and kailangan ibigay natin sa CSB ang papuri kasi ginawa naman talaga nila ang dapat nilang gawin, tayo nagkulang,” he added.

Gorayeb, the coach who led San Sebastian 22 of its 23 championships, said he hopes the players learned from their mistakes.

“Nagkulang tayo pero hindi natin ikakahiya ’yan,” he said.

“‘Yun nga lang konsensiya niyo iisipin nila kasi hindi ako naglaro dapat ganito, dapat ganyan, nandoon na ’yan eh. Kaya sabi ko sa kanila, next time hindi na ganyan kapag championship, all out kayo dapat.”

“Sabi ko nothing to be ashamed of, wala kayong magtatampo, proud pa rin kayo dapat sa achievement ninyo,” he continued.

Gorayeb insisted he is fine with second place, but he is now looking forward to the next season.

“Maganda pa rin para sa akin ’yung ganyang laro namin, maganda ’yan,” he said. “Kumbaga kulang na lang sa asin. Kulang na lang sa tao, sa height factor, si Grethcel (Soltones) wala lang matibay na ka-diagonal, ’yung setter natututo na.”

The veteran coach also said he feels bad for graduating players Trishia Crisostomo, Jonah Corpuz and Jolina Labiano, who had hoped to exit with gold medals.

"Proud pa rin ako sa mga bata. Pero for me I don't need another championship. Ang gusto ko naman sila. Kasi ang mga bata, lalo na sa mga mawawala they do not have a chance to become a champion next year."

“But ako I’m still here, I still have a chance. Naawa ako sa kanila lalo na sa mga ga-graduate. Kung nakuha sana nila ngayon eh ‘di sana before sila mag-graduate nakapag-uwi sila ng (championship) trophy.”