BACARRA, ILOCOS NORTE — Petro Gazz showcased its full arsenal in its sweep of BaliPure in the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference on Tuesday.
But for Myla Pablo, the best has yet to come for the Angels. The team has moved on the cusp of a semifinals berth after taking down the Water Defenders in dominant fashion, 25-20, 26-24, 25-23, at the PCV Socio-Civic and Cultural Center here.
Petro Gazz moved up to the third spot after tying Chery Tiggo with identical 5-2 win-loss slates.
“Siguro may mailalabas pa.
“Hindi ko rin masasabi talaga kasi ako mismo… Sa sarili ko, hindi ko pa mabigay talaga ‘yung best ko sa loob ng court kasi ramdam ko pa talaga ‘yung bigat ng court,” said the two-time PVL Most Valuable Player, who finished with seven points in the win.
A total of nine players entered the scoring column with Grethcel Soltones leading the way with 14. Ria Meneses followed suit with eight markers.
Jerrili Malabanan — who started the game for the first time this season — collected seven points. Ces Molina, Seth Rodriguez, Ivy Perez, Jessey De Leon, and Mary Anne Mendrez also contributed in the match.
And spreading the wealth was the marching order given by Petro Gazz head coach Arnold Laniog.
“Actually napag-usapan din namin ‘yun with the coaches din talaga kasi ‘yun nga, ‘yung first six talaga, medyo napapansin ng mga coaches na pagod na rin ‘yung katawan. Kasi ‘yung ibang games namin sunud-sunod din,” shared the 27-year-old native of Tarlac.
“So kailangan din talaga gamitin ‘yung second six namin para mag-step up din sa loob ng court. I’m really happy din talaga kasi ‘yung mga second six namin nag-step up din. Kumbaga hindi lang kami ‘yung dapat nag-dedeliver sa loob ng court dapat sila din.”
Heading to the final stretch of the eliminations, Pablo hopes that the team can sustain its momentum while they vie for one of the four semifinals spots.
Petro Gazz will take on Sta. Lucia in an all-important showdown on Thursday before ending the eliminations against the top-ranked Choco Mucho.
“‘Yung dalawang remaining games namin kailangan talaga pagtrabahuhan namin para for the semis din hopefully,” said the three-time V-League champion. “Sana lahat kami mag-step up din sa games namin. And then siguro ‘yung mga mistakes namin sa loob ng court, sa mga games namin, kailangan… Kumbaga mag-training din kami as a team.
“Then ‘yun nga, ‘yung mga first six kailangan ibigay ‘yung best namin. Kasi if ever hindi namin ibigay ‘yung best namin, baka magsisi kami sa huli.”
