Creamline captain Alyssa Valdez could not keep a tight rein on her emotions after facing off against Capital1 head coach Roger Gorayeb for the first time in three years.
When Creamline captain Alyssa Valdez stepped onto the taraflex at the Smart Araneta Coliseum for the Cool Smashers' PVL All-Filipino Conference tussle with Capital1 on Thursday, March 21, her eyes drifted towards the man standing on the sidelines on the other end.
And Valdez, though ever so composed, could not help but feel a surge of emotion upon seeing such a familiar face in Solar Spikers head coach Roger Gorayeb.
For the decorated outside hitter, Gorayeb is not just a legendary mentor who had helped shape her during her formative years in Ateneo, but also a father figure and a constant source of inspiration.
As the match ran its course and with Creamline outdueling Capital1 in the end, Valdez did not just feel elated for helping her side bounce back from a stinging loss to Chery Tiggo less than a week ago. She also felt immense joy at seeing Gorayeb back in action.
“For me, being able to go up against Coach Roger in today’s game, nakaka-overwhelm kasi alam ko rin ang pinagdaanan niya, kung paano siya nakarating ulit dito,” bared Valdez.
Even in the midst of battle, Valdez found herself noticing Gorayeb’s presence.
The mentor had not lost his touch, offering advice and encouragement to his players in that same straightforward manner that had guided Valdez through so many moments in the past.
Not to mention that Gorayeb, at such a point in his life, remains as passionate as ever.
“You know, one thing na ibinibigay ni Coach Roger sa team niya is tiwala sa mga players at saka kitang-kita mo talaga sa kanya na every point is important. Kasi nagre–react talaga siya sa lahat ng puntos, so madadala ka rin doon. And kitang-kita rin sa players niya na ibinibigay lahat kung anong kaya nila,” Valdez said.
It had been three long years since Valdez had last faced Gorayeb in the Premier Volleyball League.
The last club team Gorayeb handled was PLDT back in the 2021 Open Conference where he made a successful coaching return after years of battling multiple myeloma.
Gorayeb would then part ways with the club team in that same year before Capital1 tapped his services to lead the Solar Spikers in the 2024 All-Filipino Conference.
Well aware of the grueling path the seasoned tactician had to go through to return to the league, Valdez has nothing but well wishes for Gorayeb. She is also excited about what’s in store for his new team.
“Very, very excited kung ano pa ‘yung mararating ng team niya at mararating ni Coach Roger in this volleyball community na talagang isa na siya sa pinakamatagal dito,” Valdez shared.
“Coach, magpalakas at magpagaling pa," she added.
For his part, Gorayeb takes pride in the growth of Valdez as well as his other former players who are now with Creamline in Ella de Jesus, Denden Lazaro-Revilla and Risa Sato.
“Natutuwa naman ako. Kaya lang, ayoko nang isipin na (sila) ’yung mga dati kong tinuruan, mga dati kong player. Masaya ako para sa kanila kasi nagpupursigi pa rin sila sa careers nila,” he shared.
“Masaya pa rin (kasi) magkakaibigan, eh. Binati naman nila ako bago nagsimula ‘yung laro. Sinasabi nila, ‘Coach, ‘wag kang magpa-stress, ah. Masama sa'yo ‘yan,'" said Gorayeb.
"Oh, wag kayong maglaro,” he then quipped, recalling such an amusing memory.
“Masaya naman ako. Ayun lang naman. Move on, move on na kaming lahat.”
As Valdez walked off the court that day, she knew that no matter where life took her, she would always carry Gorayeb's wisdom and guidance with her.