Tag: relishes

Gorayab relishes ‘good options’ for Capital1’s No. 2 pick

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Capital1 Solar Spikers Roger Gorayeb during the PVL Rookie Draft combine. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Capital1 coach Roger Gorayab is happy to have a number of “good options” with the Solar Spikers holding the No. 2 pick in the inaugural PVL Rookie Draft set for July 8.

Gorayeb knows exactly what he is looking for in a player who could potentially change the fate of the Solar Spikers, who joined the PVL just earlier in the year.

“Of course, I’m happy because I have good options. I’m thankful we got lucky with the second pick.” said Gorayeb, who attended the final day of the combine on Wednesday at GameVille Ball Park. “

LIST: Applicants for the first ever PVL Rookie Draft

“I’m looking at the height, the one who could fit into my system, the one I think can adjust easily, that’s what’s good.

With Thea Gagate emerging as the presumptive No.1 pick of ZUS Coffee, Gorayeb has two players in mind for the second pick but he didn’t disclose them to avoid preempting the draft he has high hopes for the aspirant, who will be part of his team.

“We have [target player], but we need to discuss first. I will study which one will benefit us more. It’s a secret for now.,” he said.  “I see a big help this player can give us, and I will train her well. I already have someone in mind.”

Gorayeb is also eyeing to add more players to their young roster in the succeeding rounds, looking to add a middle blocker and a libero. 

READ: PVL: Set for No. 2 pick, Capital1 also parades Russian spiker

“We’re focusing now on the second round. What should we pick, a middle or a libero? We’re a bit short in that area. The middle position is very important,” the veteran coach said.

“We need an immediate threat in the middle so our outside hitters can have space. Without a threat in the middle and just focusing on outside sets, our attackers will be blocked often.”

Even before the PVL Draft, Gorayeb signed Shola Alvarez and Julia Ipac from Galeries as well as veteran setter Iris Tolenada as they look to rise from a 1-10 record in the All-Filipino Conference.

“Shola is a big factor, especially since I’m used to her from when she was my player before. She’s comfortable with me, and Jorelle, her former teammates, are still there. Shola is a huge asset offensively. Even defensively, she’s solid. Our team’s composition is really coming together nicely,” the Capital1 coach said.

“I really expect us to elevate our game by two to three levels.”

Gorayeb is also pleased with Russian import Marina Tushova’s connection to her teammates, especially to setter Tolenada.

“Marina easily jelled with us because she’s almost the same age as the younger players. Our bond with her became really good. She also blends well with the players like a local. She’s not picky,” he said.



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“She fits in perfectly because Iris [Tolenada] is a huge asset. Her leadership and experience bring a lot to the team.”

Team USA’s Fil-Am manager relishes PH return at VNL

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USA men’s volleyball team manager David Dantes.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Team USA’s first time playing in Manila for the Volleyball Nations League was also a homecoming for the squad’s Filipino-American team manager David Dantes.

Dantes relished his return to the Philippines after 10 years.

“It’s really great to be back. I think the guys (players ) right now are having a wonderful experience. I think that’s been the best part. [For] most of our team, it’s their first time here and we love it. They love the fans, they love the passion, couldn’t be happier,” said Dantes, whose parents are from Quezon City. 

READ: VNL 2024: Experience makes USA’s Manila stint a ‘great success’

Like his players, Micah Christenson, Erik Shoji, Taylor Averill, and others, Dantes, who was born and raised in California and currently living in Georgia, was also in awe of the love Team USA received from the Filipino fans in their first VNL experience in Manila.

“It’s awesome. We want the sport to be popular everywhere. We want the fans to be as passionate as Filipino fans. So this means the world to us, and especially to our guys,” he said.

Dantes, who was also a coach and director for the University of Georgia, admitted he hasn’t watched Philippine volleyball games but after experiencing the massive Filipino crowd and his former player, Erica Staunton signing with Creamline as an import, he’s looking forward to catching PVL matches back home.

“I will now. Because one of my athletes in Georgia just started for Creamline last week. I will be watching it now because she’ll play,” said the Team USA’s technical support team and men’s sitting team Independent Contract Performance Analyst

“It’s really cool to see where I’m from, where my parents are from love it as passionately [as me]. Obviously, almost makes me want to come back and see the sport grow even more. It’s so cool to see the Philippines growing in the professional sport really quickly, which is great,” he added.

READ: VNL2024: USA star Taylor Averill wants to come back, explore PH

Dantes shares that grassroots development is key to taking Philippine volleyball to greater heights.

“I think it all starts at the grassroots level. Just provide as many opportunities as you can and let the kids, let the youth play as much as they can,” he said.

American libero Shoji shared the same sentiment as Dantes.

“I think it’s growing. Look at this crowd. So, we need more boys and girls playing volleyball and the more people the play, the better you’re gonna get. so, you know, we need more boys and girls playing volleyball in Manila, around the Philippines,” Shoji said. “That’s my hope for the country and little by little, step by step, they’ll get better.”



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USA, which finished with a 5-7 record, may have missed the VNL Final Eight after losing to Japan for the first time on Sunday night at Mall of Asia Arena, but the experience playing before an electric crowd still made the Americans’ stint a memorable one as they head home and gear up for the Paris Olympics.

Alas coach De Brito relishes ‘amazing journey’ being girl dad

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Alas Pilipinas coach Jorge Souza De Brito during the AVC Challenge Cup 2024. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Jorge Souza De Brito may have made a name for himself as a seasoned volleyball coach currently calling the shots for Alas Pilipinas but he will always be a girl dad.

The Brazilian tactician, who has been handling the Philippine women’s volleyball program since 2021 through the FIVB development project platform, has traveled the world to coach for different squads in a couple of countries like Japan, Turkey, and South Korea before finding his second home in Manila.

And it wasn’t easy, especially when he was away from his family as De Brito had to fulfill his duties as volleyball mentor.

READ: De Brito happy to deliver Alas Pilipinas medal at home

“There’s a prayer I always do when there are some flights or I’ll be away. That if something happens, let God take care of them. Because it’s hard. And the worst part is always there with the mom. So the mom has to—it’s the mom and dad. And I just ask for God to protect me to be back or protect them to be safe,” De Brito told reporters.

The 57-year-old De Brito, who recently got his contract extended until the Southeast Asian Games next year after a historic bronze medal in the AVC Challenge Cup, is grateful to receive a second chance to stay in Manila, which is also considered the second home of his wife Raquele Lenartowicz and daughters Julia, Anna Muiza, and Helena.

His family felt at home, especially his daughters, who have been studying in the country.

For De Brito, being a father is the best part of life as it also makes him a better coach and man.

“For me, it’s like having your heart outside your chest. It’s amazing because, you know—when you’re not a father, you don’t know exactly what it means. You can imagine, but you don’t know. It’s a part of you just walking around, growing. It’s amazing because they want your protection and care,” said De Brito, who was emotional during an intimate interview with reporters. 

READ: De Brito relishes PH coaching stint despite ‘a lot of challenges’

“But suddenly, they start to grow, they start to make their own steps. You start to be so proud of it, but also you’d be afraid because the world is not perfect, and it’s always dangerous. But it’s an amazing journey being a dad. It’s something that will make us alive every single day.”

“Of course, you never sleep, a hundred percent, because, you’ll always have to [think]: ‘What happened? What are they going to do in the future? What are they thinking about? What can I do to make things comfortable, not too much for them not to fight, but enough to not be afraid of all the things they have to face in the future. It’s the best part of life,” added De Brito also the father of Marina from his previous marriage.

All De Brito wants for his daughters is to become genuine and loving people.

“No matter where I’ll be or if I leave, I hope that they can be good, they can be honest, they can find a way, and try to be kind and find happiness in everything they do. They’ll make me happy if they just keep on doing this. Spreading love.”

The former Brazilian Olympic medalist as a player has brought his father figure in coaching, which also helped the Alas players to be closer.

This Father’s Day, De Brito wishes all dads a good and happy life.



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“I’m a father, too. I know how hard it is. I know there’s a part that we always do, and that’s work a lot to provide them everything they need. But I want to share with you guys that all they need is our love,” De Brito said. “I wish you happiness and a lot of love and use all the moments that you have to spend with them. Because more than everything you can give them, all they need is our time. I wish you have a long time with them and enjoy this special moment with the kids. So, it’s so good because even if they grow, they’ll still be our kids. Happy Father’s Day.”