FOR San Sebastian, it’s not about doing well without three-time MVP Grethcel Soltones anymore.
It’s about surviving with only eight players in one season.
Coach Roger Gorayeb described his current squad as the weakest he has handled in his coaching career. And while the finals has always been the target, he is now focusing on a modest goal of making it to the Final Four.
“Pilitin lang namin maka-survive, maka-abot sa top four,” he said, hoping to push the players to play hard while avoiding injuries.
The eight SSC players — skipper Joyce Sta. Rita, Dangie Encarnacion, Daurene Santos, Julie Tiangco, Nikka Dalisay, Vira Guillema, Dannah Amponin and libero Alyssa Eroa — showed they can win big with a straight sets demolition of EAC on opening day.
The SSC offense was balanced in the opener, much different to when Soltones was in the squad, and Gorayeb hopes the squad, now also without Kat Villegas, can continue to improve.
“Sinasabi ko lagi sa kanila na, wala na si Grethcel, sana kaya na nilang tumayo sa sariling paa,” said Gorayeb, who
“Kasi pag andyan si Grethcel, 70 percent ng opensa kay Grethcel, tendency nila ’di na mag step up kasi nandyan si Grethcel,” he added.
“Nung wala na si Grethcel baka ‘yan magsikap na (ngayon),” he said.
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.
