Daily Tribune‘We’re now playing with better chemistry this time. Whatever kind of set or no matter the quality of reception we’re finding ways to execute.’
Brooke Van Sickle and the Petro Gazz Angels are making their presence felt in the early stretch of the PVL All-Filipino Conference.
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF PVL
Petro Gazz’s confidence has skyrocketed halfway through the preliminary round of the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference.
After losing to defending champion Creamline in their second season-opening conference game, the Angels have racked up four straight victories in an amazing run to end the year with a 5-1 win-loss record.
All thanks to better communication and players fully embracing their role under Japanese coach Koji Tsuzurabara’s system.
“We’re now playing with better chemistry this time. Whatever kind of set or no matter the quality of reception we’re finding ways to execute,” setter Djanel Cheng said.
The playmaker added that the team has slowly absorbed the system introduced by Tsuzurabara, who took over the coaching reins from Timmy Santo Tomas at the start of the year.
“If I may add, we’re also communicating better, like there’s better communication between coach Koji and us players,” Cheng said.
Petro Gazz won their last four games convincingly, rolling past Farm Fresh, Akari, PLDT and erstwhile unbeaten Cignal.
Behind the Angels’ success is the resurgence of veteran winger and court leader Myla Pablo.
Playing in her vintage form, the former Most Valuable Players’ (MVP) performance of late complements the explosiveness of Filipino-American hitter Brooke Van Sickle.
In Petro Gazz’s straight-sets loss to the Cool Smashers, Pablo played only two sets off the bench with just two points.
Reinserted in the starting lineup, the 31-year-old spiker unleashed her signature high-octane game as she averaged 15 points per game in the Angels’ telling win streak.
“Myla’s a fantastic player. They don’t call her typhoon ‘Pablo’ for nothing. She has all the shots, wicked line hits for sure. She’s just confident. When I see her on the court and something doesn’t happen, she’s like ‘okay, next one, I got it,’” the reigning conference MVP Van Sickle said in awe.
Pablo’s contributions on offense and defense somehow ease the scoring load off Van Sickle, who is averaging 21.8 points per game.
“It’s really refreshing to be next to her and have someone who’s calm, collected, and just fiery. I’m very happy to have her as a teammate,” she said of the National University product.
Riding the bench in the previous two conferences while nursing lingering back issues, Pablo credited her teammates for her renewed confidence.
“This 2024 I’d say I got my confidence back. I asked my setters to just give me confidence inside the court. Just give me the ball and I’ll attack even if I have to adjust to the set,” Pablo said.
“I told myself that I’ll redeem myself for this All-Filipino for the management, my supporters, and also to coach Koji.”
Petro Gazz will resume its campaign on 21 January in a marquee match against Chery Tiggo.
