The Capital1 Solar Spikers are zeroing in on the second pick in the inaugural PVL Draft.
There is almost complete certainty that Thea Gagate will be selected first in the 2024 PVL Draft, but uncertainty will begin after the 23-year-old middle blocker hears her name.
The Capital1 Solar Spikers have the second overall choice, and that is when the draft's intrigue really begins, with Capital1 free to choose their options among the 46 other applicants.
Coach Roger Gorayeb, for one, is excited to pick second but wants to keep his options open in the draft.
“Masaya kami, pangalawa kami. At least maganda ‘yung option namin pero pinaka-maganda kung number one,” Gorayeb jokingly told reporters.
“Titignan ko lang ‘yung height, kung papasok ba ‘yung sa sistema ko. Alam mo naman ‘yung mga player, iba-iba ‘yung kinalikhan nilang sistema. ‘Yung sa tingin ko madaling makakapag-adjust, ‘yun ang maganda,” he explained.
However, the Solar Spikers' decision might be easier after they added veteran setter Iris Tolenda to the team. With this in mind, Gorayeb later pointed to focusing on picking a spiker instead of a setter.
“Masaya naman ako sa performance kaya mas priority kung ‘yung papalo kasi pag kumuha ako ng setter, mababangko lang kasi iba ‘yung experience ni Iris eh,”said Gorayeb.
“Sayang naman kung kukuha ako tapos mabe-bench lang. Gusto ko ‘yung kukunin ko, mapapanginabangan ko na. Maipapasok ko na sa team, sa first six namin, ‘yun ang plano,” he added.
Capital1 will have plenty of options in the second pick and they are hoping that this will help continue their improvements heading into the Reinforced Conference.
But the veteran tactician is also wary of the imports that can make or break the team in the tournament.
“Based dun sa ensayo namin, maganda expectation ko kasi nagbago na lahat, umayos-ayos na sila. Siyempre, kung titignan mo ‘yung five months namin, kulang pa rin ‘yun eh pero at least mas maganda kesa nung nakaraan,” said Gorayeb.
“Alam mo naman may import ngayon, malaking factor ‘yun eh. Baka ‘yung team na malakas, masamahan ng mahinang import, hihina ‘yun. Meron naman team na mahina, masamahan ng malakas na import, lalakas ‘yun. Mahirap ang magsabi kung ano mangyayari pero ako definitely tataas namin kesa dun sa dating standing,” he added.
The Solar Spikers have confirmed that they tapped Russian import Marina Tushova for the conference—and so far, Gorayeb has been liking what he’s seen from the 26-year-old spiker.
“‘Yung age niya kasi halos ka-age niya ‘yung mga present player. Ang ganda nilang relationship nila. Ang saya-saya nila lagi parang silang may ordinaryong Pinoy na bata na nagkasama-sama tapos maayos mag-English,” said Gorayeb.
@onesportsphl PRIORITIZING SPIKERS IN THE ROOKIE DRAFT 📝 Capital1 head coach Roger Gorayeb is pleased with the Solar Spikers' recent acquisitions of veteran setter Iris Tolenada and Russian outside hitter Marina Tushova ahead of the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference. He emphasized the importance of drafting spikers who can immediately contribute to the team's starting six in the upcoming 2024 PVL Rookie Draft. | via Kiko Demigillo/One Sports Digital #OSOnTheSpot #PVL2024 #TheHeartofVolleyball #SportsonTiktok ? original sound - OneSportsPHL