Remy Palma’s ‘good leadership’ proves crucial in Petro Gazz win

Petro Gazz Angels’ Remy Palma, left, Djanel Cheng, center, and Aiza Maizo-Pontillas during a game against Creamline in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference.–PVL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Aside from Brooke Van Sickle’s career night, Petro Gazz coach Koji Tsuzurabara praised the leadership of team captain Remy Palma for spelling the difference in their impressive five-set win over Creamline in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference.

Van Sickle erupted for a new career-high 29 points as Palma kept the Angels together to complete a come-from-behind win 15-25, 25-18, 24-26, 25-19, 15-13 over the defending champions on Saturday at Sta. Rosa Sports Complex in Laguna.

The Petro Gazz Japanese coach lauded Palma, who had 12 points including four blocks and kept her teammates motivated despite staring at a two sets to one deficit.

SCHEDULE: PVL All-Filipino Conference 2024

“Thank you so much to Captain Rem for always controlling the emotions of other players. She made sure Petro Gazz would have good teamwork. In this five-set win, she always provided good leadership. She was our hero,” said Tsuzurabara.

Even when they were on the brink of losing to Creamline, the PVL Best Middle Blocker refused to give up, urging her teammates to earn themselves an opportunity to pull off a comeback.

“Yung naging reminder ko sa bawat isa, sinabi ko na kapag binigyan tayo ng opportunity, yakapin natin. Kapag binigyan tayo ng chance, pagpursigihin pa natin na i-grab lahat ng chance na makukuha natin kasi tuwing Creamline, alam naman po natin na matindi sila kumapit hanggang dulo,” said Palma, who also learned from their five-set loss to Chery Tiggo last month.

“Kailangan naming baunin lahat ng natutunan dun. And ito ngayon, nagbunga naman lahat yung mga experience na yun. Although masakit talo, pero lagi naman pong may chance at yun yung panghahawakan namin,” she added.

Winning against Creamline is a rarity for Petro Gazz since winning its first Reinforced championship in 2019 as the Angels only won two games against the Cool Smashers in their past 19 meetings.

That served as an inspiration for Palma to play her best every time she faces the most successful PVL team, which is also one of the most popular squads in the league.

“Every win po namin sa kanila is masarap sa pakiramdam. Malaki at magandang experience. Ako, for the past four years, every time na kalaban ko sila, iba dapat yung mindset mo. Kailangan ‘yung pinaka-the best mong game, yun yung gagawin mo kasi lahat sila kailangan mong bantayan, lahat sila pwedeng maka-score,” the veteran middle blocker said.

“Ang dami nang times din na naglaban sa finals, it’s a matter of patibayan talaga ng puso. Kapag sila yung kalaban mo, kailangan matibay ‘yung puso mo, kailangan mentally tough ka, kailangan ready ka sa lahat ng pwedeng mangyari. Kumbaga dapat lahat baon mo eh, pati cabinet mo baunin mo na,” she added.

It was fulfilling for Palma to win against Creamline but Petro Gazz hasn’t achieved anything yet despite the Angels tying the Cool Smashers at No. 2 in the standings.

Palma reminds her teammates to move on from this win with a 10-day preparation for Cignal on April 16 at Philsports Arena.

“Hindi namin pwedeng masyadong ilagay sa ulo namin yung panalo kasi tapos na yun eh. Ang gagawin namin, baunin namin yung mga magagandang experience ngayon then yung mga lapses namin, yun yung pupunan namin,” Palma said.