Since he started coaching the San Sebastian College-Recoletos Lady Stags in the mid-80s, Roger Gorayeb has always made the NCAA Final Four.
“Hindi ko maalala na hindi ako nakapasok ng Final Four man lang,” said the fiery mentor.
Now, the decorated head coach is extremely worried that streak will end this season.
After back-to-back heartbreaking seasons that ended with bridesmaid finishes, the Lady Stags come into Season 93 as overwhelming underdogs.
Not only did San Sebastian lose their top two scorers from last season in three-time MVP Grethcel Soltones and middle blocker Kath Villegas, the Lady Stags only have nine players in their official lineup.
Gorayeb says this was a result of two years of no recruitment due to the national K-to-12 academic shift and a malady of preseason injuries.
In their opening game against the Emilio Aguinaldo College Lady Generals, the Lady Stags had just eight players lined up, one of whom — Julie Ann Tianco — was unavailable due to a knee sprain.
Still, Gorayeb’s seven bested a full line-up of Lady Generals in relatively easy fashion.
“Bawal nga magkasakit eh. Bawal nga ring mag-tampo eh. Wala, talagang pagti-tiyagaan namin ngayon,” he conceded. “Siyempre para sa eskwelahan ito, hindi naman ito personal. Pilitin na lang namin maka-survive.
“Sana makaabot kami kahit sa Top Four lang.”
Despite their circumstances, Gorayeb is not letting his team just throw away the season. With two key players graduating in libero Alyssa Eroa and setter Vira Guillema, he wants the Lady Stags to at least fight for a Final Four spot.
“Meron na akong naranasan na pito, champion pa nga kami. Maraming beses. Simula’t sapul, hindi ako nagdo-doseng player. Marami na sa akin ‘yung sampu. Nag-cha-champion ako na pito lang kami. Kaya lang, ‘yung pito na ‘yun sobrang ang lalakas noon,” he recalled.
“Ito lang ‘yung time na parang nate-threaten ‘yung pagpasok namin sa Top Four, for the last 30-plus years, hindi naman kami nawala doon.
“The lowest na nakuha ko, third place eh. Eh wala,” the decorated mentor added. “Pero I don’t want to look at it on that perspective na mahina ‘yung player kasi marunong naman yang mag-volleyball. Ang kailangan lang talaga, isapuso nila.
“Kulang kami sa tao kaya kailangan lahat extra effort.”
