WHILE Capital1’s decision to take Bella Belen as its first overall pick was expected, a choice it made just last week took many by surprise.
The Solar Spikers appointed Alas Pilipinas mentor Jorge Souza de Brito as its new head coach less than a week before the 2025 PVL Rookie Draft.
Veteran coach Roger Gorayeb was handed a consultancy role instead, concurrent to his new duties as Strong Group Athletics’ lifetime consultant for its girls’ and women’s volleyball teams.
READ Jorge Souza de Brito takes over from Gorayeb as Capital1 coach
But what exactly led to de Brito’s appointment and Gorayeb’s removal from the team’s top coaching post?
For Capital1 co-owners Milka and Mandy Romero, it was a matter of finding someone who can bring in wins and results that eluded them in their first three conferences.
“Hindi naman siya one decision. Again, we look at statistics, we look at our past [performances] from all the conferences,” said Milka.
“Kami as sisters, we want to win. Yung mindset namin is to win. So, who will push that? Our players. And what we want is results. So, hopefully with this [coaching change], we put this in place, kami ng sister ko, from coaching staff to players.
“It’s up to them now. Sila po yung experts, sila po yung nasa court so we want to see the results this time.”
Apart from his prior PVL coaching experience with Akari, de Brito's experience in taking charge of the country’s finest aces in the national team was also a plus that the Capital1 top brass considered.
“He's very technical. we have been in talks with him and we like his style. Today, nanalo ang Alas and that goes to show na over time, kapag may patience, it's not a one day turnaround,” said Milka.
“We'd like that in our team na over time nakikita natin ang growth ng Alas, ang growth ng Capital1 and with our coach and with this new set of players, excited po kami ni Mandy.”
Shepherd of a young flock
Gorayeb will still be part of the Solar Spikers even after his newest commitment with the SGA stable.
For being the team’s architect over a year ago, there is nothing but gratitude from the Romeros on how they were able to have a ‘shepherd’ shape Capital1’s bright future through thick and thin.
“At the same time, with Coach Roger, we're very grateful with how he shephered us, shephered with us, through this past year and he will continue to guide us with Capital1,” said Mandy.
“We’re very glad to create more strategies together and to continue to improve our system.”
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