BY ABBY TORALBA
THE Capital1 Power Spikers may be a new team in the PVL but expect the squad to be no pushover with veteran coach Roger Gorayeb calling the shots in the new season that kicks off Feb. 20.
Gorayeb, also the tactician of the San Sebastian women’s volleyball team in the NCAA, who is making his PVL return after three years, said that he will use his vast reservoir of experience in guiding the team.
“Talagang hindi tayo magpapatalo. By all means, sabi ko nga ‘papatayin’ ko ang mga players na ito (sa practice) basta ngayon pa lang may pangpa-ospital naman kami,” Gorayeb said in jest.
“Pipilitin ko. I do not promise na malaking malaki kaagad. We’ll do it slowly. Basta lang ayokong magsalita ng tapos. They took me in based on my experience, iyong track record ko, gagamitin ko iyon,” he added.
The multi-titled tactician said that more than 120 athletes showed up in their two-day tryouts last week and will only pick 20 to meet the minimum number of players in the line-up.
Gorayeb named Heather Guino-o, Jannine Navarro, Rovie Instrella, Aiko Urdas and Jorelle Singh in the first batch of Capital1 spikers.
He also thanked team owners Mandy and Milka Romero for the support and trust given to him.
The Romero sisters both have sports backgrounds, being the daughters of sportsman and congressman Mikee Romero, owner of the NorthPort Batang Pier in the PBA.
“Biglaan lahat itong pangyayari. Na-feel ko talaga kasi iyong ‘coach gawa tayo ng team, palakihin natin’ tapos nandyan pa si Milka to support me, and Mandy,” Gorayeb said. “Sa iba kasi pressure itong nangyari but I’m taking it as a challenge na palakihin ang team na ito. 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, wala, iba sila. Nakakatuwa. Mahirap kapag hindi ko nasuklian ito ng pagpapalakas ng team. Nandyan din ang mga bata.”
