ROGER Gorayeb's homecoming in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) was warmly welcomed by the Philippine volleyball community.
But the champion coach himself actually didn't see it coming.
Ahead of his 16th year in coaching, Gorayeb shared the remarkable chain of events which led him to the helm of PVL's newest club Capital1 Power Spikers owned by sportsman Rep. Mikee Romero's daughters Milka and Mandy.
READ: Newest PVL team Capital1 holds tryouts under veteran coach Gorayeb
"For the information of everybody, mabili kasi ang mga pangyayari eh. Doc Ivy called me Friday, we met last Saturday, nagpa-tryout ako last Tuesday. I was surprised sa naging turnout ng tryout namin.
"Nu'ng first day, 75 athletes tried tapos kahapon more than 50. As of now, mayroon na kaming 23, we will trim it down to 20," Gorayeb told mediamen during Capital1's team launch on Thursday morning.
From hosting a two-day, 125-player open tryouts to engaging in swift talks with the Romero sisters, even a veteran like Gorayeb couldn't hide how overwhelmed he was with the unexpected turn of events.
"Nagpapasalamat ako sa Romero family especially to Milka and Mandy na sila ang makakasama ko. 'Yung support nila sa akin, napakaganda. In my 40 years in coaching, ngayon lang ako nakakita ng ganito," said Gorayeb.
"Medyo nalulula ako kasi all out sila lalo na 'yung magkapatid. [Sabi nila sa 'kin], ‘Gawin mo lahat coach, 'wag ka mag-alala kahit ano.’ So parang ang sarap ng pakiramdam ko and I promise aayusin ko lahat sa team na 'to, maging malakas ang team kasi with the experience I have kasi nine championships na ako sa PVL na ‘to, Shakey’s (V-League) pa dati. Dadalhin ko 'yung experience na ‘yun," he added.
No such thing as underdogs
Even with an immensely talented 12-team field, Gorayeb has full faith that Capital1 has what it takes to rise above its underdog tag over the course of the campaign.
"Talagang 'di tayo magpapatalo (...) Pipilitin ko. I do not promise na malaking-malaki kaagad ['yung team]. We’ll do it slowly. Basta ayokong magsalita nang tapos. They took me in based on my experience at 'yung track record ko, gagamitin ko 'yun," Gorayeb said.
Among the first few Power Spikers unveiled in the 20-woman roster are Gorayeb's former wards, league veterans and first-timers, including Heather Guino-o, Jannine Navarro, Rovie Instrella, Aiko Urdas, Jorelle Singh, Kat Santos, Vira Guillema, and May Macatuno.
Gorayeb has already won and lost it all across several decades in the sport, but the pressure embedded in such a huge coaching task and in such short notice only fuels him to thrive even further.
"Sa iba kasi pressure itong nangyari but I’m taking it as a challenge na palakihin ang team na ‘to. Hindi ko lang ma-describe sa inyo ang support na ibinibigay nila sa akin pero sabi ko nga sa inyo, in my 40 years of experience playing and coaching, iba sila eh. Nakakatuwa. Mahirap kapag 'di ko nasuklian ito ng pagpapalakas ng team."
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
