#UsapangPSL: Coaches of Chery Tiggo, PLDT vow to give their all once league resumes play after ECQ

For Aaron Velez and Roger Gorayeb, the temporary halt to the Philippine Superliga season due to the novel coronavirus pandemic gave them a time to reflect not just on their teams, but also to themselves.

In the second part in the pilot of Pinoyliga TV's Usapang PSL, the coaches of Chery Tiggo Crossovers and PLDT Home Fibr Hitters admitted that they have missed the action so much for the past two months with the most of the nation, including the National Capital Region, under the enhanced community quarantine.

The Crossovers and the HItters played a marathon five-set in the last game before the lockdown last March 10 in San Juan, with the former emerging the winner in a closed-door affair at the FilOil FlyingV Centre.

"Before the lockdown, we were supposed to play still," said Velez. "Ang importante sa amin ngayon, yung welfare and safety ng mga manlalaro."

Yet with everything not allowed under the ECQ, they have taken measures to make sure that the players have taken up their advice to be on standby mode should the situation improve so that they can get back to action.  With that in mind, the trust and communication to them is vital for their well-being, with most of them being the breadwinners of the respective families.

"Of course, nandyan din yung pagbibigay mo ng tiwala sa mga bata na kailangan nilang asikasuhin ang kanilang kalusugan, and at the same time karamihan sa kanila ay mga breadwinners."

He then added that there was some disappointment in him that the Grand Prix was halted, especially the fact that they are at the top half the standings with a 2-1 record, knowing that all the teams had an equal chance against each other.

"Andun ang adbokasiya pinapakita: Iba ang laro sa PSL. Lahat ng teams ay naghahanda."

Over at the other side, the fiery mentor who made first his name with San Sebastian also admitted that the pandemic and the subsequent lockdown threw every plan out of the window, and it did not help that they enter the quarantine winless after three tries, including that heartbreaker against Chery Tiggo in which they wilted after taking the first two sets.

"Siyempre parang nawala sa mga players ko, so parang nag-start ulit kami," Gorayeb said.  "Malaking epekto sa akin ito dahil naputol yung ensayo tapos may mga bagong players sa team."

With those new players, the transition to his system which was already tough from the beginning had became tougher with the current health crisis. However, it gave them the despite and a time for reflection as they have played so many games before going to the Superliga's first conference of the season.

"Personally, maganda na din in a way, nakapagpahinga yung mga player kasi sunod sunod yung liga. Nakapagrest ng kaunti. Maaring nakapagisip sila ng kung ano ang dapat gawin."

A known disciplinarian, Gorayeb have reminded them about their responsibility as professionals, as the PSL is at the different level from the collegiate scene where they are still student-athletes.

"Wag nilang pabayaan, career nila ito."

With the status of the league up in the air, both Velez and Gorayeb have assured that once the season resumes with the All Filipino conference, their teams are raring to go all out and with all their heart.

"Physically, psychologically, ibubuhos namin sa mga susunod naming laro. Dito ko makikita talaga kung sa mga player ko right now kung sino talaga yung palaban. Sino talaga yung magbubuhos ng sarili nila para maka-recover," Gorayeb concluded.
Photos: Roman Prospero/Philippine Superliga