Capital Solar Spikers coach Roger Gorayeb is letting his players make the decisions on the court as they pulled off an outstanding win over the Petro Gazz Angels in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference.
Patience has paid off for coach Roger Gorayeb and the Capital1 Solar Spikers.
Just six months since forming the squad, the Solar Spikers pulled off their biggest win yet after stunning the two-time defending champions Petro Gazz Angels in straight sets, 26-24, 25-20, 25-18, in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference on Tuesday, July 23.
After the match, Gorayeb sounded off those who spoke about his team’s performance before the conference.
“There are so many people having side comments. They are so impatient. They never think that this is a less than six months team,” Goraybe said in the post-game press conference.
“Even the national team, pick all the big players; pagsama-samahin mo, and you play outside of the country, they will never win. We need more time,” he added.
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Amid all the adversities they’ve faced, including a one-win campaign in their maiden conference in the All-Filipino, the veteran tactician said that he couldn’t have asked for a better squad.
“I don’t want to brag. I just want to be simple enough na everybody let them say good things to us, but my players are here. All good players, all coachable, ano pa poproblemahin ko? Wala na,” said Gorayeb.
“I don’t have any problem. I never even talk to them during the huddle. Konting-konti lang kaya they play freely. Hindi ko sila pinapakialaman, especially the setter,” he emphasized.
This trust has no doubt been felt by the Solar Spikers, most especially by team captain Iris Tolenada, as well as rookie Leila Cruz and import Marina Tushova.
“It’s great having a coach who knows that you can do it but will also give you feedback when you need it. That’s what makes a great coach, and that’s how you build an example for the players,” said Tolenada, who had 15 excellent sets in the win.
“For coach Roger, putting his trust in me, he won’t be so harsh on the players or like push them as much as I do, so that’s what I come in to do. I’m very grateful for my teammates for allowing me to push them to and beyond their limits as well as them pushing me as well,” she added.
Cruz, who was selected no. 2 overall in the inaugural PVL Rookie Draft, likewise expressed her gratitude to Gorayeb for the trust he has given to her so far.
“I’m super grateful with coach kasi give niya ako ng trust and esepcially now na kakabalik ko lang from my injury, ginaguide niya ako sa mga need kong gawin sa court,” said Cruz.
[ALSO READ: PVL: Leila Cruz hopes to repay Capital1's trust after being picked second in PVL Rookie Draft]
Tushova, on the other hand, wants more fire from Gorayeb as they look forward to their next matches.
“We were just starting off the game, we didn’t think about what are we going to get tonight—win or lose. We want to play, we want to fight, and we just showed it. I mean, sometimes I want some punch on me,” Tushova jokingly said. “I’m Russian, we work like this.”
Next up for the Solar Spikers will be the Cignal HD Spikers at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 27, still at the PhilSports Arena.