PH volleyball community unites, sets up Gorayeb benefit night

Alyssa Valdez is shown here with long-time coach Roger Gorayeb in an interview. Gorayeb is now confined in a hospital for more than a month due to cancer. (philstar.com/pang-masa)

By: Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

One of the most beloved coaches in the Philippine Volleyball community, coach Roger Gorayeb, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer that affects the bone marrow.

With the disheartening news about one of the most successful coaches in PH volleyball history, the volleyball community then organized a fundraiser concert night with multiple celebrities and volleyball stars performing for the coach’s benefit.

Gorayeb, a multi-titled coach and hailed as the “best” to ever do it, was a former coach of the San Sebastian College women’s volleyball team who grabbed 11 straight championships, a former Ateneo Lady Eagles coach, and is one of the reasons for the national team’s success.

For more than a month already, Gorayeb has been confined in the hospital, battling his diagnosed blood cancer.

Performances by Unique Salonga, Ebe Dancel, Quest, Bullet Dumas, Kiefer Ravena, Alyssa Valdez, Sisi Rondina, and Kara Acevedo sparked up the night as well as those who came and showed support for Gorayeb.