Alyssa Valdez and her former coach in the Ateneo Blue Eagles and the PLDT Ultra Fast Hitters Roger Gorayeb had a heartfelt one-on-one in the latest episode of Pilipinas Live's Aces.
The veteran coach, who is very much like a father to the Phenom, revealed something he hasn't said before.
"Alam mo kasi Ly. Ito ihihingi ko sa’yo ng sorry," Gorayeb said in a preview posted on Instagram.
"Coach, bakit naman magso-sorry?" Valdez asked.
Then Gorayeb recalled how he personally chose Valdez to be the center of the Ateneo program. The superstar played her high school years with the UST Junior Golden Tigresses before transferring to Katipunan.
"Handpicked kita e. Kasi nga nung time na ‘yon sabi ko kay sir Ricky (Palou), ‘Siya ‘yung magiging sentro ng volleyball,'" Gorayeb explained.
"Gusto kong sa’yo ma-mold ‘yung mga susunod pa na player sa Ateneo, sa karakter mo ma-mold. Kasi could you just imagine Ly, ang mga player ‘pag nahihirapan, sumisimangot, nagrereklamo, nagdadabog. Ikaw never mong ginawa sa akin ‘yun e."
Touched by the story, Valdez responded with, "Naiiyak ako."
True enough, Valdez became a solid foundation and cornerstone not just of the Ateneo program but also of the whole volleyball scene in the country.
Catch the whole episode exclusively streaming on Pilipinas Live.