GOOD to go.
Coach Roger Gorayeb was pleased to see Alyssa Valdez and the rest of the women’s national volleyball team all set for its 28th Southeast Asian Games stint after beating their men’s counterparts in a tune-up match during its final practice day on Wednesday night.
The women’s squad won the match at the Blue Eagle gym in Ateneo, four sets to one.
Gorayeb said the win served as a fitting send-off for the celebrated team before it leaves for Singapore on Thursday night.
“Kailangan eh. Kailangan mas malakas sa kanila ang ka-tuneup nila,” said Gorayeb, whose team also won, five sets to one, over a men’s selection team on Tuesday night.
“Hindi naman pwedeng kami-kami lang eh. Selection team ito, dapat mas malakas kasi ang makakalaban naman namin mas malakas sa kanila,” added the veteran mentor.
The entire team, made up of skipper Jovelyn Gonzaga, Alyssa Valdez, Rachel Anne Daquis, Jaja Santiago, Dindin Santiago-Manabat, Aby Marano, Gretcel Soltones, Maika Ortiz, Rhea Dimaculangan, Jia Morado, Bea de Leon, to Denden Lazaro, all showed up during the three-hour practice.
Gorayeb also stressed the team will be leaving “excess baggage” behind.
“Ayaw na naming pansinin ang mga ganyan (mga negative comments), ayaw na naming mag worry sa akung anu-ano pa,” said Gorayeb, pointing to the team's bashers online.
“Kinalimutan na namin ‘yun,” he added. “Kung meron pa silang gustong sabihin bahala na sila. Pero hindi dahil sa salita nila o kung sinong tao iibahin namin takbo ng buhay naming. Opinion nila ‘yun bahala sila.”
Source: Mei-Lin Lozada of Spin.ph
