Creamline Cool Smashers’ Alyssa Valdez in the PVL All-Filipino Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Creamline star Alyssa Valdez was thrilled to face her former coach Roger Gorayeb once again in the PVL stage after three years.
Valdez, who scored five points in two sets played on Wednesday, admitted that Gorayeb still knows her in-game tendencies even though the Cool Smashers swept the veteran coach’s Capital1 side, 25-18, 25-14, 25-15, in the 2024 All-Filipino Conference on Thursday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“It’s always nice to go up against your former coaches kasi gusto mo ipakita sa kanila kung paano ka nag-improve pero minsan meron ding konting kilala na ako nito, may mga gan’un,” said Valdez after facing her college coach for the first time since the 2021 PVL bubble.
SCHEDULE: PVL All-Filipino Conference 2024
The three-time PVL MVP, whom Gorayeb recruited to Ateneo, was so happy for his coach after he found his back to the pros with Capital1.
“Bing able to go up against Coach Roger in today’s game, nakaka-overwhelm kasi alam ko rin pinagdaanan niya kung paano siya nakarating ulit dito,” said Valdez, who was coached by Gorayeb in Ateneo and PLDT in 2015.
Capital 1 coach Roger Gorayeb in the PVL All-Filipino Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
“Very, very excited kung ano pa ‘yung mararating ng team niya at mararating ni Coach Roger in this volleyball community na talagang isa na siya sa pinakamatagal dito kasi naabutan pa siya ni Coach (Sherwin) e. Coach, magpalakas at magpagaling pa,” she added as her voice broke.
Gorayeb was proud to see Valdez’s growth and that of his former Ateneo players Ella De Jesus and Denden Lazaro-Revilla, who sat out, and Risa Sato.
READ: Amid struggles, Gorayeb finds solace in volleyball
“Masaya pa rin (kasi) magkakaibigan eh. Binati naman nila ako bago nagsimula ‘yung laro. Sinasabi nila: ‘Coach, ‘wag kang magpa-stress ah. Masama sayo ‘yan.’ Oh, wag kayong maglaro,” he added laughter.
Gorayeb said they all have moved on to different paths as he is now focused on developing the Solar Spikers, who slid to a 1-5 record.
Creamline, on the other hand, regained its winning ways after its 19-game unbeaten run was snapped by Chery Tiggo last Saturday in Santa Rosa, Laguna.
“In volleyball kasi laging sinasabi sa amin din ng mga coaches, kahit sinong coaches, kapag nagkamali ka ng isa kailangan mo mag-forward kasi ‘yun din magdadala sayo at magbi-bring down. So hindi naman sa kinalimutan namin, talagang dinala namin ‘yung sakit para makapag-improve kami talaga sa training,” Valdez said.
“Kung hindi namin dadalhin wala kaming natutunan so motivation namin ‘yun in this conference.”