The Lady Stags may have took another a heartbreaking five-set defeat to the Adamson in the opener of their best-of-three series for the Shakey’s V-League Season 7 second conference crown last Thursday.
But Gorayeb said they need to toughen up on defense and be more aggressive in their attack to finally stop the Lady Falcons on Sunday and force a winner-take-all match at the Filoil Flying C Arena in San Juan.
“We really need to work a little harder and put more effort than what we did in Game 1,” said Gorayeb. “If we could do these things and play with more heart, we’ll have a chance to win it,” he added A lackluster start did the Excelroof-backed San Sebastian in the opener, enabling Adamson to coast to 25-13, 25-17 win. “
They took the third to stall the Lady Falcons but not after getting dragged into an extended match at 32-30.
Settling down with their game, the Lady Stags also took the fourth, 25-21, to force a decider and appeared headed to victory when they soared to a 5-3 start, only to sputter again midway of the fifth set.
“We must play aggressive from start to finish, we couldn’t afford to play like we did in Game 1 because we know Adamson is going to make us pay,” said Gorayeb, who is trying to guide San Sebastian to a second title. The Lady Stags also need to solve the Lady Falcons’ rock-solid net defense anchored on guest player Michelle Laborte and Pau Soriano, who combined for 11 blocks the first time out.
“We need to find away to elude it,” said Gorayeb. Adamson has beaten San Sebastian three times this conference, all in five-setters, and are raring to make it four in row in a bid to nail its second championship in the league sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza. Game 3, if necessary, is slated on Thursday. (TJ)
