PVL: Petro Gazz still adjusting but learning a lot from new coach

Petro Gazz Angels’ Remy Palma in the PVL.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Petro Gazz skipper Remy Palma admitted that they are still adjusting to new coach Koji Tsuzurabara, who just arrived two weeks ago.

Palma said she can’t wait to unlock the Angels’ full potential under the Japanese tactician starting in their first tournament together in the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) Champions League on Sunday at Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Tsuzurabara and the Angels have been training together for 10 days since he arrived in Manila but Palma was pleased with their progress and new learnings from their new head coach, who replaced Timmy Sto. Tomas.

“I’m looking forward also to playing well, to do better because we’re learning a lot from coach Koji. He has his own style of teaching us to do better and play better that’s why we’re so excited,” said Palma in Filipino during the Champions League press launch on Friday.

“We’re working on it because we’ve been only training for 10 days with coach Koji. We’re still in the adjustment period but I can say that we will be able to adapt in the coming days because we’ve been doing everything under coach Koji,” she added.

Petro Gazz team manager David Dichupa Jr. said they wanted to take the Angels’ game to the next level that’s why they brought the former Chinese Taipei women’s national team, who coached in several countries including Vietnam, Japan, New Zealand, and Saudi Arabia.

“I think Koji-san is going to bring us something fresh. He has extensive international experience and we’re hoping that this will translate well for us. He last coached in Vietnam and before that, he was the national team coach of Taipei,” Dichupa said of the ex-head coach of Malaysia and Myanmar men’s national teams.

Palma was happy with their new players bannered by former US NCAA Division 1 star Brooke Van Sickle, returning spiker Myla Pablo, new recruits Mich Morente, Ethan Arce, and Joy Dacoron, who will boost their roster bannered by holdovers Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, Jonah Sabete, Nicole Tiamzon, and setter Djanel Cheng.

Although they only have two weeks before the PVL, the star middle blocker promises that the Angels will compete at the highest level in the Champions League starting on Sunday against the Philippine Army.

“Whenever you compete in a game, you compete to the highest level that you can. For us, this will be a good experience coming to the PVL season. It will be a competitive league for us so we have to play at a high level,” said Palma.

Petro Gazz, which last won a title in the 2022 Reinforced Conference, started 4-0 in the second All-Filipino but lost five of its last seven games, crashing out of the semis race and finishing sixth with a 6-5 record.