Capital1 made its debut in the Premier Volleyball League on Tuesday evening, receiving a rude welcome from Chery Tiggo at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
The Solar Spikers struggled to find their rhythm, succumbing to a 25-6, 25-15, 25-15 defeat that marked the beginning of their 2024 All-Filipino Conference campaign on a sour note.
Despite being together for just three weeks, veteran head coach Roger Gorayeb dismissed it as an excuse for their worrisome debut.
Speaking after the match, Gorayeb emphasized, "I told them that our three weeks of preparation may not be enough, but we cannot use it as an excuse because they are seasoned players. Although I want them to fight, even if we lose, it seemed like they were holding back."
Gorayeb, making his return to the PVL since handling PLDT in the 2021 Bacarra bubble, expressed his hope that the team would develop a passion for winning in the upcoming games. He urged his players, composed of notable names such as Jorelle Singh, Rovena Instrella, Des Clemente, and others, to rediscover their volleyball essence and bring back the passion they once had.
The decorated tactician issued a challenge to his players, encouraging them to prove their worth and overturn the decisions of previous teams that didn't sign them.
"Show that they made a mistake in not signing you. In games like these, it's like saying it was right not to re-sign us," Gorayeb declared, emphasizing the need for a strong performance rather than mere apologies.
Looking ahead, the Solar Spikers are determined to put their disastrous start behind them.
With their next game scheduled for Feb. 29 against Farm Fresh, Gorayeb is optimistic that the team will showcase the desired level of play.
"I'm happy to be back after two years, even though my world has been quiet. After two years, I'm back, and someone trusted me again, so I'm grateful," said the coach, expressing gratitude for the opportunity.
"I don't want them to regret choosing me because it's too late for our beginning. They knew we only had three weeks, but I didn't come here to lose," Gorayeb concluded, signaling a firm determination to turn the tide in Capital1's favor.
