Jonah Sabete could not have picked a better time to return, providing Petro Gazz with a crucial boost to force a do-or-die Game 3 against ZUS Coffee in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.
Out for two months due to an undisclosed injury, Sabete made her return in Game 2 of the quarterfinals and delivered as the Angels took a 25-19, 25-13, 28-26 sweep of the Thunderbelles at the Ynares Center Antipolo, Saturday.
The 31-year-old wing spiker came through with 11 points in her return to help Petro Gazz keep its semifinal hopes alive against the upset-seeking ZUS Coffee.
“Actually I’m happy na nakabalik pa rin ako pero yung pressure andoon din talaga. Pressure pero sinasabi ko lang sa sarili ko na ang daming nagtitiwala sa akin like defense,” said Sabete.
Entering the quarterfinals on a piping hot 10-game winning streak, the Angels hit a snag to start the series opener, suffering a shocking, straight-set 21-25, 23-25, 25-27 defeat against the Thunderbelles last Tuesday.
(C) PVL Images
In search of solutions, Petro Gazz head coach Koji Tsuzurabara reached out to Sabete right after the match, asking if she could play in the do-or-die Game 2. Sabete agreed, assuring her coach that she would give her all despite having been away from the court for two months.
“Actually, nagkulang lang din talaga kami sa pasa. After that, Coach Koji [messaged] me, asking, ‘Can you play at 100 percent?’ ‘Yun nga, sabi ko, ‘I’ll try my 100 percent. Let’s work on this next game’,” said Sabete.
“So, yun lang ginawa ko kasi one day lang din kami nag-prepare for team practice, so pressure andoon talaga.”
Angels star Brooke Van Sickle was elated to have Sabete back on the court, saying that her energy brought a much-needed spark to the team in their crucial win.
“I thought everyone stepped up. I’m really glad Jonah’s back that she’s back to health, back on the court, and being able to have her energy and presence is really great. She’s just a fiery player and I feel like she added to the energy a lot.”
