FILE – Petro Gazz Angels’ MJ Philips. PVL PHOTO
Just the news that MJ Phillips will soon be returning to Petro Gazz already serves as encouragement for the Angels ahead of the much-awaited return of the Premier Volleyball League in just a few days.
And Petro Gazz knows it can expect more than just motivation once Phillips actually reunites with her local club.
“Just hearing the word of her coming back is a boost,” captain Remy Palma told the Inquirer in Filipino after the launch of the All-Filipino Conference on Wednesday. “Especially for me because we are buddies, partners in the middle.
READ: Petro Gazz can’t be complacent in PVL, says Remy Palma
“It’s a huge deal for me and also for the team, because we know what MJ can offer with her game, most especially now that she will be bringing experience from the international stage.”
Phillips was the lone Filipino drafted in the Korean Volleyball League last year after being picked fifth overall by the Gwangju AI Peppers.
The versatile hitter left the Angels last June, and Petro Gazz immediately felt her absence, finishing at ninth and sixth place, respectively, in the 2023 Invitational and All-Filipino Conferences.
READ: Angels show readiness for bigger battle after PNVF romp
Since then, the club entered the rebuilding phase and experimented with manpower changes not only in its roster but as well as the coaching staff.
And the Angels, who lost Grethcel Soltones during this offseason, hope to end that this year after getting the services of Japanese mentor Koji Tsuzurabara and also dipping their hands in the free agent market following the disbandment of F2 Logistics.
‘It’s a process’
“We’re happy with the news, but it’s still a process,” Palma said. “Firstly, because we are still in the process of adapting the system of our new coach.”
But despite its stacked roster that also includes Filipino-American hitter Brooke van Sickle, who led the Angels to the Philippine National Volleyball Federation Champions league crown, Palma will lead Petro Gazz with getting better still in mind.
READ: Brooke Van Sickle puts PVL on notice with impressive Petro Gazz debut
“It will still depend in practice. Even though you look good on paper, the game will still dictate the narrative so we just embrace the process,” she said.
“We know that she’ll arrive during the conference. Hopefully, she gets to play a lot of games with us because she can help us more.”
The 28-year-old’s exact date of return is yet to be finalized as she finishes her stint in South Korea. But the Angels will be patiently waiting for her.