MJ Phillips watched from the sidelines as Petro Gazz suffered a four-set loss to Cignal in the opening match of the 2023 Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference at the Filoil EcoOil Centre on Tuesday night.
The Petro Gazz management decided not to field Phillips as a precautionary measure since she has yet to receive clearance from her Korean club, Gwangju Al Peppers, to participate in the Invitationals.
Head coach Oliver Almadro explained that the Angels’ management wants to resolve matters with Phillips’ Korean club before reintroducing her into the team’s rotation.
“I don’t know if nasabi na kanina ni ano sa interview. But you know naman na we fully support MJ in her career, especially going to Korea. We’re afraid kasi na with mga nangyayari, baka ma-affect yung pagpunta niya sa Korea,” said Almadro.
“We’re not yet sure if allowed siya to play muna ng ganitong tournament or kailangan na niyang pumunta dun right away,” he added.
Almadro assured that the team fully supports Phillips in her upcoming overseas journey, which is scheduled to begin in October.
Phillips, a two-time PVL Best Middle Blocker, was selected fifth overall by Gwangju in the 2023 Korean Volleyball Federation (KOVO) Women’s Asian Quota draft. She is the only Filipino player drafted in the league.
“We really don’t know kung ano pang pe-pwedeng mangyari. But we are really supporting her, that’s why we are really careful. Kaya kanina, that’s our mga circumstances na we cannot control,” said the UAAP champion coach.
“So, kaya, siguro, we have to live with it. We have to find a way, make a way, sa mga future games. Malay natin sa Thursday, medyo sabihin sa kanya ng Korea team niya na oh you can play, no problem with us. We do not have any problem with that, FIVB, or something like that. So pag sinabi yun, malaking bagay for us,” he added.
Almadro also revealed that Phillips postponed her departure to Korea to play for Petro Gazz.
“So actually, dinelay nga niya yung pagpunta dun for us. But unfortunately, we have to be careful. And ganun sa Petro Gazz eh, gaya ng sabi namin kanina, we will not risk it, MJ. We love you and we are a family here,” said Almadro.
“We want you to prosper in your career and experience much higher level of playing, playing field, and who knows, maybe pagbalik niya dito, mas magaling at mas malakas na MJ na magagamit ng Petro Gazz and the national team.”
