Comprised of former De La Salle University Lady Spikers and College of Saint Benilde Lady Blazers, the Petro Gazz Angels are set to make a splash in the upcoming Premier Volleyball League season, beginning with the Reinforced Conference in May.
Mentored by former University of the Philippines head coach Jerry Yee, Petro Gazz features former UAAP champions with La Salle in team captains Paneng Mercado and Chie Saet, Wensh Tiu, and Cienne Cruz. The Angles also have NCAA Season 91 champions in former Benilde standouts Djanel Cheng, Ranya Musa, and Rachel Austero.
TIP standout Alyssa Layug, former Pocari Sweat Lady Warrior Kai Nepomuceno, and Rica Jane Enclona round out the Angels’ initial 10-woman lineup of locals. They will are looking to add University of the East Lady Warrior Mary Ann Mendrez and another UAAP player once Season 80 closes in early May.
The Angles will also most likely have Estonian Kadi Kullerkann and Ukranian Anastasiia Trach as their imports for the Reinforced Conference.
“Magkakakilala naman ‘yung ilan. So far nagi-ensayo tayo. So far ,magada ang ipinapakita natin so smooth naman ang transition nila defense to offense so polishing na lang talaga,” said Yee during Petro Gazz’s press conference.
“We like to be as ready as we can be.
“Of course, ang other teams nage-ensayo din ‘yan. We hear na gabi-gabi rin nage-ensayo rin sila, nagkakaubusan na rin ng tune up games ngayon dahil nandiyan na rin ang yayaan. Some teams ang lineup nila loaded din so ‘yun ang mga challenges natin,” the Filipino-Chinese tactician furthered.
Petro Gazz president Ricky Villavicencio is expecting his squad to be competitive and expresses his full support for the country’s longest-running commercial volleyball league.
“Sa PVL ito long term ito (commitment). And we’ll give a hundred percent support sa volleyball,” Villavicencio remarked.
