Alyssa Valdez PLANNING TO RETIRED FROM VOLLEYBALL? Mafe Galanza Suddenly CRYS! Jia with NEW TEAM! What happened?

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Alyssa will always hold former coach Gorayeb dear

Whichever side they’re on, the bond between Alyssa and Coach Roger will never be broken

Throughout the years, Alyssa Valdez has always held her ‘volleyball father figure,’ Roger Gorayeb, close to her heart. It was Gorayeb who brought her to Ateneo from the University of Sto. Tomas in 2010, marking the beginning of a journey unlike any other in the history of the sport.

Since her UAAP seniors debut in Season 74, Valdez’s relationship with Gorayeb has been intertwined with success and shared experiences.

In her recent Premier Volleyball League (PVL) match against a Gorayeb-led side (PLDT), a visibly emotional Valdez expressed her pleasure at seeing Gorayeb back in action, doing what he does best in the sport he loves.

Alyssa happy to see former coach

“Being able to go up against Coach Roger (Gorayeb) in today’s game, nakaka-overwhelm kasi alam ko rin pinagdaanan niya kung paano siya nakarating ulit dito. Very, very excited (ako) kung ano pa ‘yung mararating ng team niya at mararating ni Coach Roger in this volleyball community na talagang isa na siya sa pinakamatagal dito,” said Valdez.

“Coach (Roger), magpalakas at magpagaling ka pa.”

In the match, Valdez and her Creamline teammates secured a straight-set victory against Capital1, bouncing back from their first-season loss to Chery Tiggo.

Despite the competitive nature of the game, Valdez highlighted the fighting spirit instilled in the young Solar Spikers side by Gorayeb, emphasizing his trust in his players and his desire to fight for every single point, which has always inspired her.

“It’s always nice to go up against your former coaches kasi gusto mo ipakita sa kanila kung paano ka nag improve, pero minsan meron ding konting ‘kilala na ako nito’ (factor),” she said.

Valdez added: “One thing na binibigay ni Coach Roger sa team niya is tiwala sa mga players. Kitang-kita mo talaga sa kanya na every point is important kasi nagre–react talaga siya sa lahat ng puntos, so madadala ka rin du’n. And kitang-kita rin sa players niya na binibigay lahat kung anong kaya nila.”

Gorayeb proud of his former players

Meanwhile, Gorayeb, despite his health battle off the court with multiple myeloma in 2021, expressed his joy in seeing his former players shine. For him, players past and present will always be family, and he takes pride in their continued success and friendship.

“Natutuwa naman ako. Kaya lang, ayoko nang isipin na (sila) ’yung mga dati kong tinuruan, mga dati kong player. Masaya ako para sa kanila kasi nagpupursigi pa rin sila sa careers nila,” Gorayeb said.

“Masaya pa rin (kasi) magkakaibigan eh. Binati naman nila ako bago nagsimula ‘yung laro. Sinasabi nila: ‘Coach, ‘wag kang magpa-stress ah. Masama sayo ‘yan.’ Oh, ‘wag kayong maglaro,” he added. “Masaya naman ako. Ayun lang naman. Move on, move on na kaming lahat.”