Just when things were looking up for the Petro Gazz Angels, they face another hurdle in their ongoing Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference campaign.
Following a breakthrough victory against the BanKo-Perlas Spikers last week in Batangas, Petro Gazz made a tough decision this week to let go of Estonian import Kadi Kullerkann due to a recurring knee injury.
“We know ‘yung condition ni Kadi (Kullerkann), she is not a hundred percent. We don’t want for her to risk her injury and then she won’t be able to play,” shared Camille Cruz, Team Manager of the Angels.
While Kullerkann has turned heads and impressed spectators with her unique approach in attacking and her sheer power, she has already missed some crucial moments in the tournament due to her swollen left knee, which, as it turns out, had already suffered two ACL tears before her stint in Manila.
Talking about the latest development on Kullerkann’s injury, Cruz said: “After last game, namaga ulit. Ayaw naman natin na pagdating ng next round, mamamaga at mawawalan ng import. So it’s better na magpalit na.”
Despite the decision, Cruz said Petro Gazz and Kullerkann will be parting ways on a good note, as the outside hitter fully understands the management and the coaching staff’s decision to let her rest and find a replacement right away.
And on Thursday, the back-up that the Angels badly had already landed, all the way from Ukraine.
Outside hitter Olena Lymareva-Flink went straight to training in San Juan from the airport to immediately get a feel of the atmosphere and gel with the Angels, a move that impressed both the coaching staff and the management.
“‘Yung kulang ng team right now is first ball. We have attackers naman. So somehow, ang number one priority ng pagpili ng import namin is may receive,” shared the team manager on picking the 5-foot-11 spiker.
“Hindi naman sa wala siyang attacks. She’s been playing as a professional for four years na. Galing din siyang Turkety last na naglaro. Nagkita sila ni Kadi dun,” she added.
Lymareva-Flink will be joining fellow Ukrainian import Anastasiia Trach in her debut for Petro Gazz against Iriga on Saturday.
