No stopping Gorayeb in PLDT return

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—There’s no stopping Roger Gorayeb from doing the things he love.

Gorayeb is still recovering from multiple myeloma and has been advised to keep a more relaxed lifestyle compared to the one he had before the illness.

Yet, Gorayeb defied orders to rest.

The 22-time NCAA champion coach was at the sidelines of PLDT Home’s season opener against Sta. Lucia Saturday at Filoil Flying V Center.

“I shouldn’t be stressed, that’s the one thing I should avoid and PLDT actually wanted me to just be a consultant,” said Gorayeb in Filipino after the Fibr Hitters’ 26-24, 25-23, 29-27 loss to the Realtors.

“But I really can’t stand that kind of role. It’s like I’m here but I really can’t do anything.”

Gorayeb started his battle with multiple myeloma in October 2019 and has been in chemotherapy since.

The first time the public got information about his recovery was in January when Gretchen Ho, his former player in Ateneo, shared a video of the volleyball coach walking on his own power and joining his former wards in a party.

Gorayeb, though, admitted that he’s still far from the once vigorous person that he was and that even opening the bottle cap of a soda is still impossible for him.

Nothing, however, can keep Gorayeb from getting back to his old self.

“The doctors told me that I should avoid stress, but I’m already driving since December,” said Gorayeb. “All my life I’ve been an active person but now they want me to just sit around, I don’t think I can do that.”