Capital1 head coach Roger Gorayeb is eyeing the second overall pick to select a quality wing spiker in the inaugural Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Rookie Draft, complementing the arrival of veteran playmaker Iris Tolenada.
Gorayeb disclosed that Tolenada, who last played for GS Caltex Seoul in the Korean V-League, has already been training with the team. He plans to use the number two pick to draft a spiker who can immediately contribute.
“Matagal na, matagal na siyang nagti-training. Masaya naman ako sa performance niya,” said the veteran coach on Tuesday during the second day of the Combine. “Kaya nga mas priority ko yung papalo, kasi kapag kumuha ako ng setter, mababangko lang kasi iba yung experience ni Iris [Tolenada] eh.
“Sayang naman kung kukuha ako [ng setter] tas mabe-bench lang. Gusto ko yung kukunin ko, mapapakinabangan ko na, mapapasok ko na sa team. First six na namin, ayun ang plano ko.”
The multi-titled mentor also expressed his preference for tall players who can easily adapt to his system.
(C) PVL Images
“Titignan ko lang yung syempre height, yung papasok dun sa sistema ko, syempre alam mo naman may mga player na iba-iba ang kinalakihan nilang sistema. Yung sa tingin kong madaling makaka-adjust, ‘yun ang maganda,” said Gorayeb.
The Solar Spikers, formed less than a month before the start of the All-Filipino Conference, struggled in their debut season, finishing with a 1-10 record and placing 11th.
“Syempre based doon sa ensayo namin, maganda yung expectations ko kasi nagbago na lahat. Umayos ayos na sila. Pero syempre kung titignan mo yung five months namin, kulang pa rin yun eh. Pero at least, mas maganda kesa nung nakaraan,” said Gorayeb.
Gorayeb, however, is setting higher expectations this time. He believes that the team has made significant strides during the off-season, especially with the addition of Russian reinforcement Marina Tushova.
The head coach of the San Sebastian Lady Stags noted that the locals have already formed a strong bond with Tushova.
(c) FIVB
“Syempre ako natutuwa. Laking bata eh. Saka ano, yung age niya kasi halos ka-age niya yung mga present players,” said Gorayeb.
“Ang ano nila, ang ganda ng relationship nila. Ang saya-saya nila lagi, para silang may ordinaryong Pinoy na bata na nagkasamasama. Plus, maayos mag-English so fluent siya sa English, yung communication wala kaming problema.”
