Without question, there’s tons of potential for the young but scrappy Capital1 Solar Spikers, with their mentor in Roger Gorayeb preaching that very fact.
Despite their opening day loss on Thursday, it’s hard to deny the potential of the Capital1 Solar Spikers. Especially with their fight against Akari, this young team has made enough noise to show that they can belong after all.
So while there’s huge room for improvement, legendary mentor Roger Gorayeb positively spoke about the five-month Capital1’s progress.
“Hindi na kami yung bugbugin talaga. Parang para sa amin, kakatakot na siguro rin kaming kalaban na hindi kami pwedeng...They cannot think less of us. Iba na kumilos,” Gorayeb told reporters on Thursday.
“But syempre, as a very new team, talagang…in a way, nagsa-struggle pa rin kami. Pero nakakatuwa na silang tingnan, may mga bago akong player,” he added, as Capital1 snagged Leila Cruz and Roma Mae Doromal in the Draft, while signing Iris Tolenada in the offseason.
Having new players also gives Gorayeb “something to look forward to”, especially with his rookie pickups. After all, he’s getting talent that he can integrate into his system easier compared to veteran players.
Cruz and Doromal’s drafting also fills Capital1’s needs. Doromal was a solid libero for Ateneo, while Cruz is the lengthy opposite hitter from La Salle that can be an asset on net defense.
While both rookies played on Thursday, Cruz is still coming from a yearlong layoff caused by her ACL tear. “Parang huli siyang [Leila Cruz] naglaro the other year pa eh….Since she was busy lately ‘yung kanyang strengthening, dito pa lang siya naglaro, at naka-ilang ensayo pa lang sa amin, dalawa, tatlo?” Gorayeb said of his rookie spiker.
‘Umangat na nga’
Ultimately, Roger Gorayeb believes that Capital1 has already made some progress since their establishment. For him, it’s now a matter of developing the young talents’ confidence, as well as being fully integrating them into the system.
There’s also the need to become more vocal, and strong-willed, said Gorayeb. “Dito kailangan mo talaga tibay ng loob, tibay ng dibdib. Ah, ganito pala yun. Dito pala ako dapat. Learning process din sila. Eh, pag-aralan na lang namin.”
For now, much of Capital1’s learning experiences will come from Group B of the Reinforced Conference, alongside Petro Gazz, Cignal, and Akari among others. It may be a “hell group” for Gorayeb, but it’ll also be a big test for young Capital1.
Either way, Capital1 now has a solid core at their disposal. So whatever fate they’ll have this conference, no doubt that they’ll emerge stronger and wiser from it.
“Malay natin, nine months, six months? Paano na kaya pag nag-one year kami? Ano na kaya ang itsura namin? Maganda ‘yan. Something to look forward to,” Gorayeb said.
“But still, we have to be more intelligent when we play, not use our emotions. Kasi, pag nanggigil ka, iba na ang takbo ng isip mo. Composure lagi. Eh, hindi naman nakukuha yun sa kwentuhan. Experience lang lagi. And I want them to feel relaxed.”
Banner Image courtesy of the Premier Volleyball League.
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