Alyssa Valdez and Roger Gorayeb Reunite
Former Ateneo spiker and coach tandem Alyssa Valdez and the recovered Roger Gorayeb exchange kind words after their first PVL encounter in three years.
A Special Mentor
Volleyball phenom Alyssa Valdez has been under many coaches in her illustrious career, but one in particular will always have a special place in her heart: the legendary Roger Gorayeb. Valdez’s mentor in her formative career years with the champion Ateneo Lady Eagles, the multi-titled Gorayeb has scaled stiff personal mountains in the last few years regarding his health, but has since recovered and is back in the PVL with the upstart Capital1 Solar Spikers.
Emotional Reunion
After three years away from each other, Valdez and Gorayeb finally crossed paths again on the taraflex as Creamline swept Capital1. Asked about their interaction after the game, Valdez expressed her emotions and admiration for her former coach.
Words of Appreciation
Valdez shared, “It’s always nice to go up against your former coaches because you want to show them how you improved. For me, being able to go up against coach Roger in today’s game, it’s overwhelming because I know what he has gone through to get back here.”
Gorayeb, on the other hand, reciprocated the kind words by saying, “I’m happy for them that they are hustling still in their careers. We keep moving on.”
Community Support
The Philippine volleyball community is united in hoping Gorayeb continues to inspire more generations of players for years to come. Without a Roger Gorayeb, there would be no Alyssa Valdez to usher the game’s golden age in the country.