Strong Group Athletics (SGA) expanded its support to local volleyball following a couple of big announcements, including the tapping of multi-titled head coach Roger Gorayeb as consultant for its grassroots and women’s programs.

No less than SGA owner and businessman Frank Lao welcomed Gorayeb on Thursday as the 39-time National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) champion coach and former national team mentor will be tasked to share his knowledge and expertise with SGA-backed teams.

“I’m very happy for the trust given to me,” Gorayeb said during his formal signing with SGA, which has been bankrolling several teams from different sports, especially basketball and volleyball, both from the amateur and professional ranks.

“It’s a great feeling knowing that I’m still here in volleyball. It has always been my passion to teach kids. Super happy,” added the tactician, who was recently stripped of his head coaching duties for Capital1 in the Premier Volleyball League.

Gorayeb’s signing came on the same day SGA announced that it had also struck a deal to give the University of Santo Tomas girls’ volleyball program a shot in the arm.

Lao also met with Junior Tigresses head coach Kungfu Reyes to shake hands on the partnership.

With this, Gorayeb will now oversee and give his mentorship to student-athletes from SGA-supported teams: University of the Philippines, College of Saint Benilde, Letran and UST.

“His wealth of experience and championship pedigree will be an incredible asset to all our teams, both on and off the court,” SGA volleyball head Kiara Cruz said.