Capital1 coach Roger Gorayeb and import Marina Tushova. Photos from PVL Media Bureau

MANILA – Capital1 coach Roger Gorayeb revealed that he has put his coaching stint on the line for Russian spiker Marina Tushova.

Tushova, who has been spectacular—well, that's actually an understatement—for Capital1, broke the Premier Volleyball League scoring record twice in a span of just nine days.

The latest was on Saturday against Nxled Chameleons, when she put up 49 points in a five-set marathon, 20-25, 20-25, 25-16, 25-19, 15-6, at PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

READ: Marina Tushova breaks own PVL scoring record as Capital1 turns back Nxled

She previously reset it at 45 points on August 1, surpassing Akari's Prisilla Rivera who had 44 markers during the 2022 Reinforced Conference.

Capital1 is now on the cusp of a breakthrough playoff appearance after that triumph.

READ: Marina Tushova drops PVL-best 45 points to lift Capital1 past Choco Mucho

But how did the Solar Spikers land Tushova?

Gorayeb disclosed that he asked for a recommendation from an unnamed colleague ahead of the import-laden tourney this year.

"I talked to a certain person. I asked him, 'Can you recommend to me two players only?' [And] he sent me two videos. 'Yung video nung una, I had reservations, second thoughts. And when he sent Marina's video, [I said] 'I’ll take this player,'" Gorayeb said.

That choice to acquire the services of the 6-foot Russian was filled with doubts from people around him, the legendary mentor said.

However, Gorayeb stuck with his mentoring instincts—a gambit that has paid off.

"Nung una, siyempre, alam mo naman, maraming ''wag yan, not her, choose another one.' No. I have to stick to my gut feeling, instincts as a volleyball coach."

The multi-awarded coach even bet his own career on that decision.

"If I lose, magre-resign ako," Gorayeb declared. "And Marina has proven a lot na I made the right choice."

Tushova later on revealed that it was really her goal to play in the Philippines.

"It was my goal to play here. I said it already, I got an invitation a few years ago but we didn’t meet on the agreement between the team, I don’t remember the name of the team to be honest. I was really looking for a team here, so they [Capital1] found me," the record-shatterer Tushova said.

And it seemed that Tushova is fitting very well in Gorayeb's system in the PVL.

"She's very lucky that she chose me," he quipped as they burst into laughter.

READ: PVL: Tushova repeats as Player of the Week after record-breaking feat

Tushova was named PVL Press Corps Player of the Week again due to her 49-point outburst.

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