GAB recently granted the PLDT Power Hitters the green light to hold a camp under a bubble-type setting, which just started last Monday and will end on Saturday next week.

Power Hitters head coach Roger Gorayeb said the camp is crucial for their preparations for the upcoming 2021 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Open Conference slated either late June or early July.

The team was only able to hold training at Paco Arena in Manila City for just two days due that the NCR-plus was put under Enhanced Community Quarantine. 

“Malaking bagay ito kasi matagal na kaming hindi nag-prapractice. Nag-practice na nga kami, dalawang araw nga lang dahil nag ECQ,” Gorayeb said. 

“Kaya nag-worry ako kasi yung ibang team nag-start na. Mayroon sa Subic at sa Clark. Nag-push talaga ako kay Sir Bajjie (Del Rosario, PLDT team manager) kasi naiiwan na tayo,” he continued as Creamline and Choco Mucho have been in a training bubble in Clark since April 27.

PLDT’s new recruits were present that includes Rhea Dimaculangan, Isa Molde, Marist Layug, Eli Soyud, Chin Basas, Yeye Gabarda, and Nieza Viray.

Completing the list are holdovers Shola Alvarez, Jorelle Singh, Aiko Urdas, Joyce Sta. Rita, Vira Guillema, Kath Villegas, and Alyssa Eroa.

Gorayeb and assistant coaches Clint Malazo and Ariel Dela Cruz accompany the squad.

For Gorayeb, though his players still continued with their own physical conditioning via Zoom training, they still need to shake off some rust after a year-long layoff set back by the pandemic.

“Kasi halos talagang isang taon na na walang ensayo. True enough, kondisyon yung katawan nila dahil nag-Zoom training naman kami pero yung skills, hirap mag-service at receive. Kaya sana maayos namin ito dahil hanggang next week kami dito,” lamented Gorayeb.

Meanwhile, GAB Chairman Baham Mitra encourages other PVL teams to find a local government host in low-risk areas to hold off their training. 

“Properly coordinated yan. Binibiro ko nga sila, I guess you guys must come out with pictures kasi yung other teams, wait-and-see pa rin,” quipped Mitra.

“Sila they fully complied. Nandiyan yung LGU clearance din nila, health protocols, plus nag-inspection na ng venue. So, since nagumpisa na yung PLDT team at Rebisco, puwede na rin yung iba. Sundan natin yung example nila na maaga pa, naka-request na at nagpa-inspect para makapag-ensayo na tayo,” he added.