Petro Gazz coach Oliver Almadro. –PVL IMAGES
Oliver Almadro may not know it, but when the Premier Volleyball League opened its newest season with the All-Filipino Conference last week, he commanded a lot of attention in the same way the title contenders have.
And in just his second game handling his newest team, Petro Gazz, the focus will again be on Almadro and on how he handles his former team as the Angels clash with the popular Choco Mucho Flying Titans Thursday at Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
Almadro left Choco Mucho in a huff during the middle of the Reinforced Conference last year, saying he wanted to put all his attention on the Ateneo women’s team girding for the UAAP season that’s just around the corner.
New home
He suddenly found his way to Petro Gazz and showed agitation in some interviews when he was pressed for answers.
Almadro swears that things are well with him and his former team, even saying that he often gets visits from one of his Ateneo-Choco Mucho wards in Maddie Madayag.
“With [Choco Mucho] management? Of course,” Almadro said. “Sometimes Maddie visits me, and I have a big heart for Maddie. You know, I’m happy now.”
Game time is 6:30 p.m. with the Flying Titans shooting for a second straight win under new coach Dante Alinsunurin, while the Angels shoot for a first victory to put the bitter taste of a straight-sets loss to Creamline in the opener behind.
“They’re always impressive,” said Almadro of his former team. “They’re a very strong team. That’s it. They’re a very talented team. So we will work hard, we will prepare and I hope the Lord is giving me strength and wisdom for that next game.”
Meanwhile, the defending champion Cool Smashers also gun for No. 2 vs Cignal at 4 p.m.