The Bali Pure Purest Water Defenders were undoubtedly the best team of the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference elimination round. But when they reached the Finals, they suddenly lost their pedigree.
Facing a reloaded Pocari Sweat side gunning for their third title, the Water Defenders crumbled, losing their first non-five-set match of the season.
When asked about the loss, Bali Pure head coach Roger Gorayeb rued his team’s lack of intensity. Amplifying his frustration was the team’s sudden drop-off on the biggest stage.
“Masama nilaro, lahat. Walang exceptional na naglaro ngayon. Hindi alam kung bakit. Ganda noong first set, pagdating noong second set, nawala,” Gorayeb said, denying that his players had been affected by Pocari Sweat’s new import Krystal Rivers.
“Hindi naman kami natinag doon sa bagong import. Wala talaga kaming laro, nagsabay-sabay. Masama na nga ‘yung laro namin, mapapa-abot pa namin ng fifth set. Hindi ko masabi kung anong nangyari.”
Gorayeb knows a lot about winning championships; he is the only coach to ever win all three PVL conferences in a single season. Having been on the grand stage numerous times in his career, Gorayeb wants to see his players elevate their game to match their hungry opponents.
“Ang adjustment namin diyan sa sarili na lang namin. Ang sabi ko nga sa kanila, this is a championship game. We should play with a champion’s heart.
“Hindi puwedeng parang elimination lang. Ang layo na ng narating namin, ang dami na namin pinagdaanan. Ngayon pa ba kami susuko? Siyempre hindi naman. Maganda nilaro namin sa opensa, pero sa likod kami nagka-problema,” the fiery mentor added.
Gorayeb just hopes his players do not lose confidence.
“Lagi namang [mataas ang kumpiyansa ko sa players]. Pero kung sila ang nawalang ng kumpiyansa, doon kami mahihirapan. Mas maganda kasi na kahit anong mangyare, lalaban kami,” he closed.
“Masaya naman ako na nakarating kami dito pero dapat iba laruin nila. Dapat pang-championship talaga.”
