In his almost two decades in the industry, Roger Gorayeb has never been this happy. The man has gone through a lot, from his building the San Sebastian Lady Stags volleyball program from the ground up, doing the same with the Ateneo Lady Eagles, his sudden exit from Ateneo, returning to the UAAP in the middle of Season 77 with NU, to now bringing a title to the Lady Bulldogs volleyball program.
Gorayeb has always been proud of his programs and his players, but seeing the two programs he built in the Finals of the Shakey’s V-League brought out unprecedented glee in the beloved coach.
“Masaya ako as a coach kasi napag-champion ko ang NU. Masaya din ako for Ateneo kasi mga dati ko na ring mga player yung nakalaban ko, hindi ba napakasarap ng feeling na ‘yun? Maski nanalo ang Ateneo masaya pa rin ako. Happy ako kasi successful ako sa mga nangyayaring ‘to,” Gorayeb told the media in his post-game presser. This is a man who has coached the National Team multiple times and has so many titles he couldn’t remember the exact number but sharing this particular Finals experience with NU and Ateneo gave him an immense amount of fulfillment.
Gorayeb, however, shunned all compliments, saying that it was players who deserve all the credit. “Yung mga batang yan sila ang dapat purihin, wala naman silang ginawa kundi sundin ‘yung mga inuutos ko sa kanila sa ensayo. Sabi ko sa kanila kanina I-dedicate niyo ‘yung laro para sa sarili niyo. Nabigay na natin sa eskwelahan ‘yung gusto nila, nadala na natin sila sa Finals, karangalan na ng mga pamilya ninyo na nandito kayo at napanunuod nila kayo sa TV. Para sa inyong lahat na lang ‘to, itong isang laro na ‘to – para sa sarili nila, para sa team, para sa samahan nila.”
“Di ko nga alam kung bakit niyo ako iniinterview. Ang araw na ito para sa mga player. As much as possible ayoko nga mainterview. Mas kailangan ng mga player. Hindi ko na masyadong kailangan ‘to,” he added.
Among his players, Gorayeb was extra complimentary of his fifth year open hitter and eventual Finals MVP, Myla Pablo. “Si Myla kasi, tahimik na bata yan e, parang laging maraming iniisip. Kinakausap ko lang siya. Sinasabi ko sa kanya kung saan niya padadaanin ‘yung bola. Binbalik ko lang sa kanya ‘yung confidence niya. Sabi ko sa kanya ‘Myla, malakas ang kutob ko na kapag nanalo tayo, ikaw ang MVP ng Finals. Panahon na para ikaw naman manalo’,” he recalled.
He continued, mentioning the continued improvement of Jaja Santiago while emphasizing his delight on team captain Jorelle Singh and libero Bia General’s performance in the season. “Grabe ‘yung improvement nila Jorelle and Bia. Lalo na sa depensa, sila ‘yung dahilan kung bakit halos hindi kami mapatayan ng bola e.”
When asked about his chances in the upcoming UAAP volleyball season, Gorayeb was quick to admit that things will be much tougher for NU without their veteran guest players but he remained confident that his team still had enough pieces to make a run at a title.
He hoped that his rookie setter, Rica Diolan picked up a few things from watching and practicing with veteran setter Rubie De Leon. “Ang sabi ko kay [Rica Diolan] panuorin mo mag-set si Rubie [De Leon] pag natugma kayong dalawa, maganda. Kapag iba ‘yung binigyan niya, isipin mo kung bakit ganoon ‘yung ginawa niya,” he remembered telling the former UAAP Junior’s best setter. As for the hole Dindin Santiago-Manabat will leave at the other middle blocer spot, Gorayeb cited the admirable job backup middle blocker, Roselyn Doria did when Manabat was out of the lineup. He is still hopeful that he can add Risa Sato to his team.
He is also still torn with who to name team captain for the UAAP. “Siguro si Myla kasi pagraduate na, si Jorelle marami pang ilalaro yan. Saka iba na din ‘yung ginagalaw ni Myla.”
“Noong nagsimula ako sa Ateneo, tinanggal ko ‘yung mga dating mga player, nagsimula ako ng puro first year ang mga player ko. Dito sa NU may mga seniors na, gitna pa ng season ako pumasok, kaya iba din. Sa totoo lang, parang ngayon lang ako nagsisimula sa NU, nakukuha na nila ‘yung mga gusto kong ipagawa sa kanila. Ang gusto ko kasi mag-Finals sa UAAP, ‘yun talaga ‘yung pangarap ko,” he said, closing the interview.
