PVL: Fueled by redemption, MJ Phillips delivers at the perfect time
Petro Gazz Angels’ MJ Phillips during Game 1 of the PVL All-Filipino Conference Finals against Creamline Cool Smashers. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines —After Creamline came storming back to force a decider, MJ Phillips came to the rescue for Petro Gazz in Game 1 of the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
With the Angels blowing a 2-0 lead, Phillips gave her team a timely boost scoring six straight points to keep the Cool Smashers at bay in the fifth set and pushing them closer to the coveted title.
HIGHLIGHTS: PVL All-Filipino Finals Game 1 – Creamline vs Petro Gazz
“I just kept looking [my teammates] in the eye, and I was like, ‘You guys got me, I got you,’ the whole entire time. It’s 15 points, but I took every point like it was my last. My team has my back, and that’s why I was able to do what I had to do on the court,” said Phillips, who finished with 16 points including three blocks.
Phillips was part of Petro Gazz’s last attempt to win an All-Filipino in 2023 where the Angeles took Game 1 but lost two consecutive games and settled for runner-up finish.
The Filipino-American middle blocker is eager to rewrite their story this time, hoping to deliver the elusive All-Filipino crown for Petro Gazz.
READ: PVL: Petro Gazz holds off Creamline to draw first blood in Finals
“We just don’t think about that time,” she said before correcting herself. “No, we remember that and we’re gonna take that as fuel. We’re not gonna have that repeat [of] the past.”
“Like I said, One game at a time, one point at a time, we’re gonna try our best to not have that third set like how we lacked energy and stuff. We’re just gonna come right off the bat and finish it.”
Phillips and the Angels try to close out the series on Thursday in Game 2 with just a day to prepare.
“We can fine-tune the blocking for sure and the energy is the most important. We know they’re gonna keep fighting and push us to the wall. So we’re just gonna have to push back,” Phillips said.
