Gorayeb blasts San Sebastian: 'They never learned'

MANILA, Philippines – San Sebastian College head coach Roger Gorayeb was critical of his team after the Lady Stags lost in the NCAA Finals for the second consecutive season despite having a thrice-to-beat advantage over their opponent.

One season after losing to De La Salle-College of St. Benilde in four games, the Lady Stags folded against the Arellano University Lady Chiefs in three straight games. They won all nine of their elimination round games, but could not even grab one match against an Arellano team that they beat in five sets earlier in the season.

Gorayeb grew increasingly frustrated and disappointed as the match went on, which Arellano went on to win 25-15, 22-25, 25-23, 25-16. In the end, he could only lament another wasted opportunity for his team.

"Sabi ko nga, hindii kami nakakahiya sa nilaro namin sa amin, kung 'di nakakahinayang," said Gorayeb. "Kasi, andoon na 'yung opportunity. Ako, as a coach, malungkot ako kasi may mga ga-graduate na hindi man lang nakatikim ng kahit isang championship."

[I told them that we should not be ashamed of how we played, but it's disappointing, because the opportunity was there. As a coach, I'm sad because some of them will graduate without winning a championship.]

• READ: Lady Chiefs back on the throne in sweep of Lady Stags

Yet even as he felt sad for his players – especially for three-time MVP Grethcel Soltones – Gorayeb also could not help but criticize how they performed in the do-or-die game against Arellano. Soltones, as usual, was San Sebastian's rock with 25 points, 14 digs, and 17 excellent receptions, but her teammates failed to give her ample support.

"Mahina ang loob nila," Gorayeb said of his players, specifically about his middle blockers. "'Yun lang ang sinabi ko nga sa kanila – 'yung mistake nila last year, they never learned."

[They are faint-hearted. That's all I said to them. They did not learn their mistakes from last year.]

Gorayeb fully admits that his team was at a disadvantage whenever Soltones went to the back row, as they lacked another open spiker who can score at a consistent basis. In Game 3, Dangie Encarnacion and Nikka Dalisay blew hot and cold and their play on defense also left much to be desired.

"'Yung gitna namin, walang tulong. Hindi rin maka-block, at hindi rin maka-depensa," Gorayeb said of their middle blockers, Katherine Villegas and Joyce Sta. Rita, who combined for 15 points but managed only one kill block in the entirety of the three-game series.

[We did not get help from our middle blockers. They couldn't block, they couldn't defend.]

As was the case in Season 91, Gorayeb struggled to explain his players' woes, especially as they played well in the elimination round and also performed well in practices.

In the end, he could only point to their emotions as perhaps the root of the problem.

"Kita lang kasi ang emotions nila eh," he said. "Mga babae ang mga 'yan eh. Ang umiiral sa kanila ay emosyon, at hindi ang bright side nila. Nauna ang takot, gaya ni Dangie."

[They became emotional. They're girls. They were ruled by their emotions and not by their bright side. They got scared, like Dangie.]

"Imbis na pag-usapan ang gagawin sa loob, ang kinakalaban mo ay emotions," Gorayeb also said. "Karakter na nila ang kinakalaban ko eh. Kapag naduduwag, ang hirap buhayin eh."

[Instead of discussing the strategy for the game, we were fighting their emotions. I was up against their character. When they got scared, it was difficult to build them back up.]

For most of the game, Soltones was the lone San Sebastian player who clearly worked hard on both ends. By the fourth set, however, even the "Lady Beast" looked tired and forlorn, and her final attack was rejected by the Arellano wall.

"Si Grethcel, tumukod na," said Gorayeb. "Parang nawalan na rin ng loob sa bandang dulo."

"Wala, hindi ko naman din siya masisisi," he admitted. "Wala na siyang suporta offensively sa mga kakampi. 'Yun ang mabigat doon."

[Even Grethcel gave up in the end. I can't blame her. She wasn't getting help from her teammates.]

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