Second-year Lady Bulldogs head coach Roger Gorayeb sat at the National University bench with both frustration and disappointment visible on his face. After going up 2-0 against the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses, his team had coughed up their advantage, leading to a heart-breaking five-set loss.
The loss was their seventh for the season, and formally eliminated them from Final Four contention.
“Wala e. Nagkulang at kinapos. Nandun naman yung effort ng mga bata,” Gorayeb said as he looked to find words to encapsulate their final game for Season 79 — a microcosm of their entire season.
“First two sets… Ganun talaga, di natuloy e. Kahit gaano ka-painful sa amin yun we have to accept it.”
During his two and a half year stay at the National University, the Lady Bulldogs only made the post-season once. Back in Season 77, Gorayeb had taken over from Dong dela Cruz on January 5, 2015 when NU floundered with a 2-3 slate. He was able to steer the Lady Bulldogs to the Final Four, finishing the season at third place.
Over the next two years, the Lady Bulldogs finished with twin 7-7 slates, both times finishing at sixth place. Due to this, the multi-titled NCAA champion mentor is giving the NU management a chance to re-assess the program by handing in his courtesy resignation.
“As a courtesy I have to tender my resignation kasi dalawang taon na yan.
“Kung pababalikin ako okay lang, kung hindi naman okay lang din kasi kailangan they should have a freehand kasi two years na,” Gorayeb furthered.
Though the team finished with identical slates, Gorayeb believes that the program has made huge strides this season compared to their tumultuous Season 78 campaign.
“Though, naayos naman na yung team ngayon maayos naman na sila magandang simula na ito maganda yung ngayon namin kesa nun isang taon,” he said.
“Maraming talent na lumabas. Si Jaja [Santiago] nagkaroon na siya ng ibang position, yung setter namin si Jasmin [Nabor] para siyang green horn ngayon. Ngayon lang siya naglaro buong season na setter siya kailangan lang gumanda lang yung gel ng team. Maganda ng simula yan.”
And with an intact team for next season, Gorayeb remains optimistic with the team’s chances with or without him.
“We should stay more as a team talaga. Reflect lang kung ano yung pagkukulang, kung ano yung dapat baguhin, idagdag at bawasan,” he said.
“It’s a good run. Kulang lang talaga ng effort konting konti pa. Nandiyan pa naman lahat next year.”
