Fueled by her desire to lead the very team that first believed in her, Jonah Sabete fought through cramps and pain to help steer Petro Gazz to its historic first-ever championship in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference on Saturday night.
Sabete was visibly limping as early as the second set, often needing help from her teammates every time she hit the floor. Still, she refused to back down — drawing strength from sheer will and determination to finish what she started.
Despite the physical toll, the 31-year-old outside hitter made a massive impact, helping the Angels dethrone five-peat-seeking Creamline, 25-21, 25-16, 23-25, 25-19, in Game 3 to capture their long-awaited title in the all-local tournament.
“Yun na nga, ayun masaya kasi siyempre, yun din naman gusto ng management na bigyan namin sila ng championship na All-Filipino Conference,” said Sabete.
“Actually sobrang saya namin syempre first time, ilang beses kami na nasa championship — twice? All-Filipino ngayon yung step by step namin biglang sumakses,” she added.
(C) PVL Images
A product of Bulacan State University, Sabete delivered 16 points in the championship clincher — second only to Brooke Van Sickle’s 21 points.
She also scored 16 points in Petro Gazz’s Game 1 victory, a five-set thriller (25-17, 25-20, 18-25, 20-25, 15-10). In Game 2, she tallied a well-rounded performance with 14 points, 11 excellent digs, and 11 excellent receptions in their 15-25, 25-16, 21-25, 25-15, 9-15 loss.
The 5-foot-7 winger has been a core member of the Angels since their formation in 2019. She briefly suited up for F2 Logistics in the now-defunct Philippine Super Liga and Sta. Lucia in the PVL’s first professional season in 2021 before returning to Petro Gazz the following year.
With the championship on the line — and everything they had gone through this conference — Sabete said there was no other option but to push through the pain and give her all against the Cool Smashers.
And in the end, she helped the very team that took a chance on her finally seize the crown that had long eluded them.
“Kasi maglalaro lang talaga ako eh, ‘yun lang yung goal ko eh. Pero ‘yun nga, binigay din talaga ni Lord sa amin ito siguro. Sobrang proud sa teammates din,” said Sabete.
“Yun nga, sinabi nga rin namin na ilaban na namin ito na parang walang bukas, na para kahit papaano makuha namin yung championship at ma-feel din yung All-Filipino championship. Sumakses naman.”
#WATCH: The Angels speak out after clinching Petro Gazz’s PVL All-Filipino Conference title 🏆
📹@justinvalencia_ /Tiebreaker Times pic.twitter.com/ilotrbU0PL
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) April 12, 2025
