Legendary NCAA volleyball coach Roger Gorayeb was moved to tears while recalling his recent battle with cancer.
In Chino Trinidad's report for "24 Oras," the long-time San Sebastian College tactician opened up on his thoughts while he was hospitalized for multiple myeloma in 2019.
Gorayeb was at the Intensive Care Unit and did not wake up for 14 days while getting treated for the disease.
"Nung time na 'yun bago ako na unconscious sinasabi ko lang lagi sa doctor, 'Doc, wag mo akong... sorry," he paused, suddenly overcome with emotion.
"Lagi kong sinasabi, ''Yung pamilya ko, Doc, 'wag mo kong pababayaan, kawawa ang pamilya ko,'" he said.
Aside from his doctor, many other people were looking out for Gorayeb and his family.
The players he coached in San Sebastian, the national team, and other commercial teams all pitched in for his medical expenses.
Gorayeb was playing coach for the San Sebastian men's volleyball team in the 1980s and also coached the women's and the juniors' team.
"Ang nangyayari nun, dadating ako nang maagang-maaga, babae muna, mag-co-coach muna ako tapos juniors, mag-co-coach ako," he said. "Tapos seniors, magbibihis lang ako tapos maglalaro na ako."
During his bout with cancer, Gorayeb stayed at the hospital for over a month but he eventually recovered from the disease.
This January, he faced another tragedy after his wife passed away.
The winningest coach in NCAA volleyball history is drawing strength from his faith and the sports community which always has his back.
"Ang importante lang kumapit ka ng husto at 'wag kang makalimot sa taas, sa mga kaibigan mo na nandiyan, alam mong nandiyan sila para sa 'yo," he said.
—MGP, GMA News
