Roger Gorayeb could be Bulacan team’s coach in the inaugural MPVA tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Bulacan is looking to tap seasoned coach Roger Gorayeb to call the shots for its women’s volleyball team in the inaugural Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association (MPVA) starting in October.
Bulacan team owner Chris Baluyot bared that the team is negotiating with Gorayeb, the longtime coach of the San Sebastian Lady Stags in the NCAA, for their first women’s volleyball campaign in Manny Pacquiao’s newest venture.
“We all know the quality of coach Roger. He has been a pillar in Philippine volleyball,” Baluyot told reporters. “We hope that coach Roger will consider helping the province of Bulacan.”
“We’re just sorting things out with him. Hopefully, we’re looking forward to having coach Roger in Bulacan.”
Gorayeb, who last handled a club volleyball team two years ago with PLDT in the Premier Volleyball League bubble, is seriously considering the offer of Bulacan.
Baluyot, a former PBA player and Bulacan Kuya in the MPBL, believes the 22-time NCAA women’s volleyball champion coach Gorayeb is what their city needs.
“I’ve known coach Roger since I played for San Sebastian and I saw his dedication. He will be a big help to our grassroots program,” Baluyot, who played with San Sebastian Stages in NCAA men’s basketball, said in Filipino.
Executives and team representatives of the MPVA. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Gorayeb also called the shots for the women’s national team in the 2015 Southeast Asian Games and helped Ateneo improve its women’s volleyball program during the time of three-time UAAP MVP Alyssa Valdez and the ‘Fab Five’ composed of Fille Cainglet, Gretchen Ho, Dzi Gervacio, Jem Ferrer, and A Nacachi.
He also won a couple of titles with PLDT and BaliPure in the PVL and its predecessor Shakey’s V-League.
The Bulacan official said they will start building their roster, once they secure the deal with Gorayeb, who will discover talents from Bulacan.
“Once everything is settled, we will conduct tryouts and through coach, he will also recruit his former players to lead our team,” Baluyot said.
“We have a lot of grassroots players, who are still waiting for their chance to showcase their talents. This is their chance to experience playing in a big league and develop their self-confidence,” he added.
The MPVA teams can have a maximum of five ex-professional players — with only three allowed to play at the same time — and need at least three homegrown talents.
Bulacan will battle Nasipit Agusan Del Norte, Blue Hawks, Marikina, Caloocan, Rizal, Biñan, Manila Tornadoes, Bulacan, Bacoor, and Quezon City.
“It’s a big opportunity for the grassroots programs of the local government units. We didn’t think twice about joining the new program of Senator Manny because it’s an honor to be part of this league, knowing that there are still a lot of talented volleyball players out there,” Baluyot said. “This is a big exposure for the young Bulaceños.”