Remy Palma and the Petro Gazz Angels in the PVL Reinforced Conference. –PVL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — For Remy Palma, Petro Gazz’s shattered ‘three-peat’ dream in the PVL Reinforced Conference will serve as their fuel to bounce back stronger in the bigger and more challenging All-Filipino in November.
Petro Gazz may have set the standard in the import-laden tournament, ruling the past two editions in 2019 and 2022. But their reign ended in the knockout quarterfinal after Creamline exacted a sweet revenge, 25-23, 25-19, 25-18, on Tuesday evening at FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
“People always say that the Reinforced Conference is always in favor of Petro Gazz, because we are good at recruiting imports. But this is volleyball. The ball is round, and we faced a huge challenge,” said Palma.
READ: PVL: Panaga helps Creamline dethrone her former team Petro Gazz
“The Reinforced Conference is short. I believe it’s all about how you wake up on the day of a knockout game. I believe in that mantra. Maybe we just didn’t wake up on the right side, we didn’t show what we were supposed to do, and we didn’t play the game we should have played,” she added.
Although they were the pre-tournament favorites to go all the way to the top as they didn’t have any Alas Pilipinas players, the Angels still dealt with manpower issues including the absence of MJ Phillips and the adjustment period to the system of Japanese coach Koji Tsuzurabara.
“We also wenmt through major adjustments, a major system change, and major player replacements. Even though people say our lineup is full of veterans, we’re still going through things and need to build a deeper chemistry,” said the Petro Gazz middle blocker.
READ: PVL: Wilma Salas thankful despite missing ‘three-peat’ with Petro Gazz
“We know this is Petro Gazz, but internally, things are changing. Almost every year, every conference, there are changes. The same goes for the players. There will be changes with us because Coach Koji’s style is different from our previous coaches’ styles.”
Petro Gazz was able to overcome its tough start, winning four straight games to end the elimination round with returning import Wilma Salas and Brooke Van Sickle forming a formidable duo to enter the quarterfinals as the sixth placer only to fall to the No.3 Creamline.
Long conference up next
Remy Palma and the Petro Gazz Angels in the PVL Reinforced COnference. –PVL PHOTO
Palma said this setback will serve as a lesson to take their team to a higher level in the next All-Filipino Conference in November.
“We have the opportunity to rise again. It’s okay if we didn’t get lucky this time, but it doesn’t end here. For me, we just keep going,” said the Angels’ captain.
Veteran setter Chie Saet told her teammates they have nothing to be ashamed of as they gave everything this conference amid the challenges.
Saet also stressed the importance of discipline next conference, which will run until May.
“Just because it’s a long conference doesn’t mean you can slack off. We need to take better care of ourselves, stay in good condition every day. We have to strengthen our mind and resolve because we never know how each game will go. We also have to be ready for the responsibilities that Coach Koji will give us,” said the longtime Petro Gazz playmaker. “Sometimes, you have to adapt quickly, but we’re still in the process of adjusting to him. But little by little, we’re getting there.”
Palma is also up for the challenge, believing the next All-Filipino may be more challenging but it is more fulfilling to win the longest PVL tournament yet.
“It’s anybody’s game because it’s such a long conference. Our preparation for this will be really intense. Now, it’s all about sharpening our system, strategy, and preparation,” she said. “We’re also excited because it’s the first time for all of us to experience such a long conference.”