Roger Gorayeb felt delighted by the results of the inaugural PVL Draft for his team as Capital1 went 2-for-2 on its wishlist.
Picking second overall after ZUS Coffee, the Solar Spikers secured their tall spiker in Leila Cruz, a 5-foot-10 opposite, the second tallest in the draft pool of 47 athletes.
Then, in the next round, Capital1 filled the hole in the libero spot with Roma Mae Doromal, the former defensive specialist for Ateneo de Manila University.
“Masaya ako kasi syempre nakuha ko yung gusto kong mga player, (Roma Mae) Doromal, si (Leila) Cruz. Malaking maitutulong non sa team namin. Medyo doon sa posisyon nila, medyo weak kami doon nang kaunti,” said Gorayeb after the draft on Monday at the Novotel.
Capital1 rounded out its selections with Jenya Torres, an outside hitter from De La Salle University like Cruz.
Team co-owner Mandy Romero, who, along with her sister Milka, was present for the event, also called their draft a success.
“This first PVL draft was history in the making. Ang saya namin dahil nakuha ng Capital1 Solar ang aming wishlist,” said Mandy.
“Before the draft, we’ve been targeting these three players. We believe their talent and grit are aligned with the Capital1 Solar Spikers and the future we’re building. It will be an exciting road ahead for the team,” she added.
Gorayeb raved about the tall stature of Cruz, especially playing in the opposite, making her a good defensive asset against the outside spikers of the opposing teams.
Cruz will join last conference’s Solar Spikers opposite hitters, Rovie Instrella and Sydney Niegos.
(C) PVL Images
“Height talaga. Height na talaga ang hinahanap ko kasi opposite [spiker] siya eh, para merong pam-block doon sa kabilang dulo sa mga outside hitters,” said the veteran coach on what he liked about Cruz.
Things fell into place just right for Gorayeb and Co. in the next 11 picks. When it was their time to pick the 14th selection, Doromal was still available.
Doromal will join last conference’s liberos, Bingle Landicho and Rica Rivera, as they strive for a better finish in the Reinforced Conference after finishing with a 1-10 record in the All-Filipino.
(c) PVL Images
“Kasi talagang plano ko na yung second pick ko, talagang libero yung hinahanap ko kasi para meron naman kaming kaunting choice sa libero kasi dadalawa yung libero namin. Sa tingin namin si Doromal yung makaka-puno doon sa gap na yun,” shared Gorayeb.
Gorayeb also mentioned that he liked what he saw in setter Julia Coronel but decided to pick Cruz as Capital1 had already acquired a good playmaker in Iris Tolenada in the offseason.
Cruz, Doromal, and Torres will get their first taste of action on July 18 as the Solar Spikers square off against Akari to start their campaign.
