When Alyssa Valdez arrived in Ateneo, she played under the wings of veterans Fille Cainglet-Cayetano and Dzi Gervacio with Roger Gorayeb as their head coach.
Now Valdez is the star of the Lady Eagles, but now under mentor Tai Bundit.
As the Ateneo star face off with her former mentor in the Shakey’s V-League finals, Valdez couldn’t help but look back to all the times working with Gorayeb.
“I’ve been through so much with him, I’ve cried tears with him,” Valdez said after the Lady Eagles set up a finals meeting with National University.
Though he stands in the way of Valdez getting another title with Ateneo, she would always be grateful of Gorayeb for turning her into the superstar she is today.
“He may be on the other bench but I’m still thankful for what he has done for me.”
The Lady Eagles and the Lady Bulldogs begin their best-of-three finals series on Sunday.