Chie Saet and Myla Pablo have both experienced championship glory with Petro Gazz, but this time, the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference title means more than ever.
The two were key members of the Angels’ squad that won the 2022 Reinforced Conference, led by import Lindsey Vander Weide. However, capturing an All-Filipino Conference crown would hold a different kind of significance.
“Sabi nga ni Ate Chie, iba pa rin talaga pag All-Filipino. Kapag Reinforced kasi, ‘di lang naman sa import yung gumagawa, pero sa All-Filipino kasi, lahat yan, tulong-tulong as a team hanggang sa makuha yung Finals,” said Pablo on Thursday after Petro Gazz secured its Finals berth.
The Angels swept the round-robin semifinals with a dominant 25-22, 25-20, 25-18 victory over Akari at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Saet, who was also part of Petro Gazz’s first championship-winning team in the 2019 Reinforced Conference, has been vocal about her desire to add “All-Filipino champion” to her résumé — especially with retirement looming.
(C) PVL Images
“I think yung difference yun nga may import kasi (noon), so ngayon mas mataas yung expectation kasi All-Filipino. So this time, we will do our very best. Ulitin ko, gaya ng sinabi ni Coach Koji, we will face and enter the Finals with our 200 percent,” said the 40-year-old veteran setter.
Pablo and Saet played crucial roles in Petro Gazz’s Finals run. Pablo stepped up as a reliable second option to superstar Brooke Van Sickle, while Saet rediscovered her rhythm, stabilizing the team after a shocking quarterfinals loss to lower-ranked ZUS Coffee.
With Creamline later defeating Choco Mucho, the Angels are now set to face the Cool Smashers in a best-of-three Finals series.
This marks Petro Gazz’s sixth Finals appearance — five of which have been against Creamline. However, the Angels have won only one of those encounters.
After a grueling six-month campaign, the Angels have reached the Finals, and backing down is not an option.
“Sabi nga ni Coach Koji, hindi lang 100-percent. 200-percent talaga. Nasa Finals na kami, ba’t bibitawan pa namin?” declared Pablo.
