Capital1 displayed a lackadaisical performance in its debut in the Premier Volleyball League on Tuesday evening.
The Solar Spikers were dealt a rude welcome by Chery Tiggo, 25-6, 25-15, 25-15 to begin their 2024 All-Filipino Conference campaign on a sour note at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Although they have only been together for three weeks, veteran head coach Roger Gorayeb said after the match that it was not an excuse to have that worrisome debut.
“Sabi ko nga sa kanila, yung three weeks na preparation namin hindi sapat yun pero we cannot make it as an excuse kasi dati naman silang mga player eh,” said Gorayeb, who is also making his return to PVL since handling PLDT in the 2021 Bacarra bubble.
“Though ako syempre gusto ko lumalaban talaga, kahit na matatalo basta lumalaban pero parang nagkakahiyaan pa sila.
“Hoping ako na sa susunod na mga laro ay magkaroon na ng kaunting passion to win, not just to participate. Kailangan ko lang kalabitin yung volleyball essence nila, maibalik yung dati nilang passion,” he added on his team that is composed of veteran players.
Gorayeb, a decorated tactician, then issued a challenge to his players to show what they’re made of.
Notable players of Capital1 are Jorelle Singh, Rovena Instrella, Des Clemente, Jannine Navarro, Patty Orendain, and May Macatuno among others.
The team also fielded Syd Niegos, Jel Quizon, Bingle Landicho, Arianne Layug, Cathrina Dizon, Shyra Umandal, Rica Rivera, and Shirley Salamagos in the game against the Crossovers.
“Sabi ko nga sa kanila na patunayan niyo na nagkamali yung mga previous team ninyo na hindi kayo nire-sign kasi sa ganyang laro nila parang sinabi na nila na tama lang na hindi kami na re-sign,” said Gorayeb.
“Sabi ko hindi naman mababago yan ng pagsosorry eh, nagsosorry ka kasi may nangyaring hindi maganda. Kung natalo ka at maganda yung nilaro mo pero sobrang lakas lang ng kalaban, okay yun maluwag kong tatanggapin yun eh dito kami nagbibigay ng puntos eh.”
Time, however, is on the side of Gorayeb and the Solar Spikers and they plan to make it count to completely forget their disastrous start.
Their next game would be on Feb. 29 when they entangle with Farm Fresh and hopefully there, he sees what he wanted to see in their debut.
“Masaya ako after two years nandito ulit ako though tahimik na yung daigdig ko, eh after two years nakabalik ako, may nagtiwala ulit sa akin edi nagpapasalamat naman ako,” said the well-loved coach.
“Ayaw ko silang bigyan ng regret bakit ako ang kinuha nila kasi too late na yung umpisa namin eh, three weeks, alam naman nila yun pero ayaw ko naman na ganyan, hindi naman ako nagpunta dito para magpatalo eh.”
