Capital1 players may have few wins to celebrate in the PVL, but coach Roger Gorayeb wants his team to at least rediscover its passion for the game. —AUGUST DELA CRUZ
In Roger Gorayeb’s return to the Premier Volleyball League (PVL), with a hastily built crew, the seasoned mentor knew that tremendous challenges lay in wait.
But other than making Capital1 a competitive bunch, he wanted the Solar Spikers, who are composed mostly of returning pro players, to first rediscover their passion for the game.
“I am hoping that in our next games we get to find some passion to win, not just to participate,” Gorayeb said in Filipino after Capital1 received a rude welcome from Chery Tiggo in its debut game. “I need to pluck their volleyball essence to bring back their old passion.”
SCHEDULE: PVL All-Filipino Conference 2024
And after immediately enduring consecutive losses in Capital1’s maiden PVL campaign, Gorayeb is slowly seeing that fire reignited.
The Solar Spikers notched its first franchise win after dropping fellow league newcomer Strong Group, 25-18, 25-20, 19-25, 25-20, on Tuesday—a welcome development for the veteran mentor who has continuously reminded his new team to make this chance count.
“Not yet a hundred percent, but leading toward it,” Gorayeb said after the breakthrough win. “I am taking everything one step at a time. I am giving everybody a chance to play.
READ: PVL: Capital1 fends off Strong Group for its first franchise win
“I told them, the Solar Spikers who are mostly not re-signed players, that if not for Capital1 we would only be just watching [PVL].”
Capital1 was only established about two months ago with the likes of Heather Guino-o, Jorelle Singh, Rovie Instrella, Patty Orendain, Maria Clemente and others who have previously played for pro teams before becoming free agents.
Gorayeb chose these players hoping to bank on their experience to make their first conference together easier. But he knows that despite the Solar Spikers’ backgrounds, they will spend a lot of time against the ropes.
READ: PVL: Roger Gorayeb offers no excuse after Capital 1’s debut loss
“I always tell them that this is their opportunity, possibly a blessing in disguise because supposedly they don’t have a team anymore,” he added. “They have been given a new lease in their playing career so they shouldn’t waste it.”
But with more established teams and an increasingly competitive field remaining in its calendar, Capital1 would have to show everything it can do to prove it belongs.
“We are in this situation right now so we should give it our all and battle it out. Their passion should be there with the mentality of ‘This is my last chance, I need to work hard and not waste the opportunity,’” he said.