Gretchel Soltones leads Petro Gazz past F2 Logistics in grueling five setter in the PVL Invitational Conference. -MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Petro Gazz coach Oliver Almadro lauded Grethcel Soltones for keeping her team composed amid the long delays from the reviews and video challenge calls in the fifth set of their match against F2 Logistics in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Invitational Conference.
Soltones didn’t only unleash her professional best with 31 points but she also kept her cool during the delays to ignite the Angels’ seven straight points to end the game and hand the Cargo Movers’ first defeat in Pool B, 20-25, 25-22, 25-12, 33-35, 15-9, on Thursday at Philsports Arena.
“Credit to the players, especially Grethcel because she kept everyone calm. As her career goes, she becomes more mature,” said Almadro of Soltones, who led them to their third straight win to improve to 3-1 tied with F2 Logistics.
Soltones, who had four blocks in the match, wanted to win the game badly to boost their semis bid that’s why she motivated her teammates during the lull of the reviews in the fifth set.
“I was running a little, making jokes in the corner. Others were resting. We just did what we had to do inside the court so we didn’t get tired, we were conversing energy,” Soltones said in Filipino.
“Coach admits that he’s tensed at times because he wants to fight for what’s for us. So I was telling coach, ‘just relax. let it be,’ Whatever the decision is, let’s go, forget about it,” she added.
Gretchel Soltones gets support from Petro Gazz teammates. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Almadro said that they just fought for what is right as every point and every game matters in shut a short conference with only the top two teams from their group advancing to the semifinal round.
“The referees and scorers had lapses, but it’s part of the game. We’ll fight for what is right. Whatever it is, whatever happens to the challenges, the Lord is good,” the Petro Gazz coach said. “As they say, whatever challenge comes your what, if something is for you, you’ll get it. I guess this win is really for us no matter what.”
“Just as the players said earlier, we’re furious about the result of the challenges, but we told ourselves, we’ll let it go. And it turns out the odds went our way,” he added.
The Angels will face the Choco Mucho Flying Titans in a crucial Pool Bon Saturday.
“Our strategy is to get as many wins as we can. We will not be looking at the results, we will just be focusing on the performance daily. Everyday performance, everyday preparation, we have to be better than our best every day and trust the Lord,” Almadro said. “We will prepare physically, mentally, and especially by spirit. Choco Mucho is a strong team.”