After Petro Gazz’s straight-sets romp of Capital1 in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference, head coach Koji Tsuzurabara had one wish.
The Japanese tactician wanted to bring his two liberos to the post-game press conference as his appreciation for the work they’ve done.
Tsuzurabara commended Jellie Tempiatura and Blove Barbon, as they stepped up after a somewhat lacking showing during the Angels’ five-set loss to Chery Tiggo last Thursday.
“This time, I called the two liberos because being a libero is a specialized role that isn’t easy. Being a libero requires a strong mentality,” explained the first-year head coach of Petro Gazz after their win.
“A libero operates somewhat in solitude on the court. They can’t score points, and if they make a mistake, it counts against the team. Unlike spikers, who can potentially score to make up for errors, being a libero requires special skills and mindset,” he continued.
Against the Solar Spikers, Tempiatura took care of defense with an astounding mark of 9-of-12 in digging while Barbon went 9-of-16 in receptions.
“I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our two liberos,” said Tsuzurabara.
Tempiatura, who was seldom used in the past few conferences, gained her confidence as playing time came aplenty this time when Tsuzurabara arrived in the Angels’ fold.
While appreciative of the act by her coach, the defensive specialist out of Iligan City also knew the amount of responsibility that comes with it.
“It’s a big responsibility din kasi ako sa defense so parang kailangan mo talaga magfocus every game,” said the 26-year-old Tempiatura.
“Thankful din ako kay coach kasi binigyan niya ako ng opportunity to play, eh. Last conferences, kaunti lang yung playing time ko inside the court. Pinakita ko naman sa kanya kung paano ako mag-training everyday, like – deserving, parang ganon. Dapat deserving sa spot na yun.”
Barbon, for her part, also took note of Tsuzurabara’s action to use two liberos every game so that each one of them could focus on a specific skill.
“Sobrang thankful kami kay coach na pinagkatiwalaan kaming dalawa,” said the former beach volleyball star for University of Santo Tomas.
“Nakakatuwa lang kasi nung nakaraan po kasi parang isang libero lang po talaga yung naglalaro sa amin so ngayon gusto po kasi ni coach na dalawa kaming mabigyan ng time which is ako nagfofocus sa receive then si Ate Jellie po sa depensa.”
