Gorayeb downplays PLDT as V-League dynasty

MANILA, Philippines – After topping two of the three conferences in the just-concluded Shakey's V-League Season 12 and on course of winning more with an intact roster next year, is PLDT Home Ultera building a dynasty?

Coach Roger Gorayeb wasn't thinking on that line.

"Yes we're winning championships but I don't want to call it that way," said Gorayeb, whose two-game sweep of Army Sunday gave the Ultrafast Hitters the Season 12-Reinforced Conference title, their second of the year after reigning supreme in the Open Conference last May.

Instead, Gorayeb is more concerned on wanting to give his team a title one conference at a time because he knows Army is always there trying to foil them.

"Army is always a tough opponent. They will always make sure that every game we played them would be tougher than before," said Gorayeb. "So forget about dynasty. I'm more concerned in finding ways to beat them whenever we face them."

The Lady Troopers, indeed, have made sure to make life difficult for PLDT.

In the Open Conference early in the year, the Ultrafast Hitters were on their way to a title sweep before the Lady Troopers handed the former their first loss with a shock Game Two win.

PLDT will go on to win the finals anyway but not before turning back the same Army team via a pulsating five-set win in the deciding Game Three.

This conference, the Lady Troopers won their first duel in the elimination round and nearly took Game One when they led, two sets to none, before Alyssa Valdez came into the picture and took charge.

"Ours have become a rivalry. Don't mistake it for bad blood because we don't feel that way, but it's really intense whenever we play them," said Gorayeb. "But I think it's good for the league, good for the fans."

Dynasty or not, Gorayeb wants her team to take a quick breather for now and focus on the forthcoming collegiate season.

"Rest for some, back to college for others," said Gorayeb.