PVL: Edgar Barroga hopes Gerflor finds way to peak despite short Invitational conference

Gerflor coach Edgar Barroga. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Gerflor coach Edgar Barroga hopes the Defenders will peak at the right time in the short Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference.

The Gerflor Defenders received a rude welcome in the PVL after getting swept by the Creamline Cool Smashers last Thursday at FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.

With only the top two teams in each group advancing to the semifinal round, coach Barroga wants his wards to treat their remaining games as a must-win after a “concerning”  performance to start their campaign.

“I am worried about the short format because I don’t know when my team is going to peak. There are times that we commit miscommunication with regard to our play and pattern,” said the seasoned coach in Filipino. “If it’s a bit longer, maybe in the middle of the league we will be able to bring out our full potential.”

Gerflor Defenders. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Despite the loss, Barroga understood that his team composed of free agents and some collegiate standouts received a baptism of fire against the winningest PVL club.

“Everyone was excited facing a champion team and at the same time national players. My players gave them respect. It’s just that our plan didn’t work,” he said. “We were able to execute our preparation in the first set. But we committed a lot of errors and couldn’t sustain our defense and blocking.”

The Defenders are making the most of the league’s 10-day break to address their lapses, improve their defense, and strengthen their mindset before facing the Chery Tiggo Crossovers on July 13 at Philsports Arena.

Despite losing their first game, Barroga was thrilled after finally making his professional coaching debut.

“I’m happy and excited because I have been vacant for a while. I learned a lot during that time and I was able to create good strategies which I can share with my players,” the Gerflor coach said.

It was a tough past three years for Barroga as he was not renewed by Cignal in 2020 a year after steering the HD Spikers to the Philippine Superliga finals.

He was signed by Peak Form, a club that expressed its intention to join the maiden pro tournament of the PVL in 2021 but didn’t push through. He was tapped as the new head coach of the defunct Sta. Lucia before the 2022 season but the club took a leave of absence and has yet to return.

Now, Barroga is finally in the pros, handling the newest PVL team, which is committed to being part of the league for the long haul.