By: Ohmer Bautista
After a dominant first round, Petro Gazz have sent a statement that there’s a new sheriff in town.
The Angels are unbeaten in their last five matches, flaunting their impressive set of locals flanked by two hard-hitting imports in Wilma Salas and Janisa Johnson. They also upended reigning champions Creamline Cool Smashers to incite their blistering start.
Still, despite riding a five-game winning streak, Petro Gazz head coach Arnold Laniog made it known that the Angels will not turn complacent; instead, their wins will add fuel to their fire.
“No time for complacency kami. Mas lalo kaming magpu-push kasi nakita namin ‘yung potential namin, na kaya namin makipagsabayan.
“So grab na namin ‘yung opportunity na hangga’t andito pa kami [sa taas], hangga’t di tapos, hanggang makuha namin yung pinaka-goal namin, tatrabahuin namin,” Laniog asserted.
Furthermore, the Angels have yet to drop a set this season – a streak that exemplifies their dominance, but most importantly, as Laniog stressed, their insatiable desire to win.
“‘Di talaga namin intention na magpatalo kada set or what. Basta ang focus namin every time we step on the court, talagang mag-perform kami dun sa best of ability namin,” he declared.
However, Saturday afternoon, their unbeaten set streak almost came to a screeching halt as PacificTown-Army mounted a 22-17 lead in the second set.
Not wanting to end their dominant surge, Wilma Salas and Janisa Johnson fueled a come-from-behind run to keep the streak alive.
Laniog also declared that if ever Petro Gazz squanders a set in the near future, they will be mentally prepared for it.
“Going to second round, what if makuhanan kami ng isang set? Paano kami magre-react? So pinaka-importante, bukod sa conditioning, is yung mental aspect nila,” he shared. “Like kanina, may chance doon na talagang manalo or pwedeng ma-disorganized yung team.
“But sabi ko, ‘Composed tayo, balik tayo sa gusto nating mangyari at game plan namin.'”
