Games today:

(Philsports Arena)

10 a.m. — VTV Binh Dien Long An

vs Baic Motor

1 p.m. — Nakhon Ratchasima Qmin C VC vs Queensland

4 p.m. — Petro Gazz vs Taipower

7 p.m. — Zhetysu VS vs Creamline

Fresh off its Premier Volleyball League (PVL) championship triumph, Petro Gazz kicks off its campaign in the 2025 AVC Women’s Champions League on Monday, facing Chinese Taipei powerhouse Taipower at 4 p.m. in Pool B action at the Philsports Arena.

Though riding high after dethroning Creamline in the PVL All-Filipino Conference Finals, the Angels remain cautious against a seasoned Taipower squad and a rising Hong Kong side in Hip Hing.

Despite a short turnaround, head coach Koji Tsuzurabara believes his team is ready for the continental stage.

“We’re in a tough group,” said Tsuzurabara, who formerly handled the Chinese Taipei women’s national team from 2019 to 2022.

“Taipower players were some of my former players. Their coach, she was also under my wing before. I’m truly happy for them.”

That familiarity could give Petro Gazz a critical edge, especially with only a week separating their PVL celebration and international debut.

Leading the Angels are outside hitter Brooke Van Sickle and middle blocker MJ Phillips, the recently crowned PVL Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Finals MVP, respectively.

They have been classified as imports owing to their affiliation with USA Voleyball and they will be joined by another towering presence in 6-foot-2 American hitter Gia Day.

“This is my first time competing internationally,” Van Sickle said.

“I’m just excited to play high-level volleyball, learn from other countries, and grow as an athlete.”

Orchestrating the plays are veteran setters Djanel Cheng and Chie Saet, while Baby Love Barbon and Jellie Tempiatura anchor the floor defense for the Angels.

Creamline, on the other hand, faces Kazakhstan’s Zhetysu VS at 7 p.m. in its second game in Pool A.