As the 2024 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference kicked off, Capital1 head coach Roger Gorayeb expressed mixed feelings following their first game. Despite the disappointment of losing to Akari, Gorayeb underscored the significant improvements his team made during the offseason.
The Solar Spikers fought valiantly but ultimately fell to the Chargers in a closely contested match, with set scores of 18-25, 25-27, 25-22, and 14-25 at the Philsports Arena in Pasig. This defeat put them at 0-1 in Pool B.
Reflecting on the game, Gorayeb lamented missed opportunities, particularly in the tight second set.
“Nakakahinayang kasi okay na 'yung first set. Pero 'yung second kasi was very, very close. Nauna pa kami sa last, eh. But we weren't able to capitalize on it, kaya nakakahinayang 'yung second set. Had we won the second set, nagfi-fifth set kami ngayon,” he said, referring to their narrow 24-23 lead in the second set before losing it.
Despite the loss, Gorayeb remained positive about his team's progress.
“Pero okay lang, maganda na 'yung team kumpara du'n sa first conference namin. 'Yung depensa namin, malakas e. Maayos 'yung depensa namin. 'Yun lang opensa. Talagang 'di namin alam bakit nag-struggle kami on offense," he noted.
The Solar Spikers underwent major changes after the All-Filipino Conference, where they finished 11th with a 1-10 record. They signed key players, including setter Iris Tolenada, spikers Shola Alvarez and Ayumi Furukawa, and middle blocker Julia Ipac.
Additionally, they brought in Russian spiker Marina Tushova as their reinforcement and selected Leila Cruz, Roma Mae Doromal, and Jenya Torres in the league’s inaugural rookie draft.
"Aangat na kami. Umangat na nga kaunti, 'di ba. Para sa akin, umangat na 'yan. Malaking tulong 'yang mga batang 'yan," Gorayeb said, praising Cruz and Doromal for their positive impact on the game.
"All they need to do is develop their confidence and integrate into the team. They’re still a bit shy, but that will change."
Seeing his team’s development, the experienced tactician is optimistic about their future.
He emphasized that they had achieved this progress in just five months, noting that they are still a new squad trying to adapt to the high level of competition in the PVL.
“'Yung team na 'to kasi, is less than six months. Five months pa lang kami ha, baka kasi nakakalimot 'yung iba. But we move like an old team. Pero less than six months pa lang kami,” Gorayeb proudly stated.
“Malay natin. Six months? Paano na kaya 'pag nag-one year kami. Ano na kaya hitsura namin? Maganda, kaya something to look forward to.”
Next up for Capital1 in Pool B is Petro Gazz on Tuesday at 5:00 PM, followed by matches against Cignal, Choco Mucho, and ZUS Coffee.
With the way his team performed against Akari, Gorayeb is confident that the Solar Spikers are now a formidable opponent.
“Para sa amin, nakakatakot na siguro rin kaming kalaban, na hindi kami pwedeng... they cannot think less of us. Iba na kumilos, eh,” he concluded.
