Heather Guino-o is determined to seize her chance with Capital1, vowing to make the most of her opportunity in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference.
On Saturday night, Guino-o continued to prove her worth for the Solar Spikers, leading the team to its first win of the tournament at the expense of Nxled, 21-25, 25-21, 25-15, 25-18, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
The former Far Eastern University standout, who averaged 11 points per game in her first three outings, delivered a team-high 21 points built on 19 attacks, along with seven excellent digs and six excellent receptions.
“Syempre po ayoko lang po ulit sayangin ‘yung chance na binibigay ni coach and ng team po. Na-inspire rin po ako sa mga teammates ko kasi nakikita ko po kung gaano rin po sila nag-improve and naging matapang,” said Guino-o after the win.
Capital1 head coach Roger Gorayeb has been a strong supporter of Guino-o, consistently encouraging her to take full advantage of her opportunities and stay confident.
“Lagi ko siyang sinasabihan, ‘Heather ito na uli ‘yung chance mo, ‘wag mo nang sayangin. Kapag nilagay kita doon sa loob, bakbakan mo na. ‘Wag ka na magdalawang isip pa kung kaya mo o hindi, ‘yung confidence kasi lagi importante,” said Gorayeb.
He also emphasized that confidence is crucial for any player to succeed, and that fear can hold them back.
“Kapag ka takot ka, lahat ng gagawin mo alanganin, hindi talaga aggressive. Iniisip mo baka magkamali ka, eh binibigyan ko siya [ng chance]. Gawin niyo lahat, paluin niyo ‘yung bola, hindi naman ako nagagalit kapag naba-block sila. May coverage eh, doon ako concerned sa coverage,” he continued.
Before finding her way to the Solar Spikers earlier this year, the 26-year-old wing spiker bounced around the league, playing for the Perlas Spikers (2021), PLDT (2022), and Petro Gazz (2023).
Guino-o played sparingly in her debut season with Capital1 but seems to have finally cracked the rotation of head coach Roger Gorayeb in the ongoing All-Filipino tilt.
And the one-time PVL champion is determined to keep her spot as she strives to become a key contributor to the Solar Spikers’ ascent in the PVL ranks.
“Mas kailangan pa po naming mas maging consistent sa ginagalaw namin sa loob ng court and mas kalangan pa po namin ipakita ‘yung tapang namin sa loob ng court,” Guino-o reflected.
