BATANGAS – Petro Gazz head coach Timmy Sto. Tomas tipped his hat to his players following their dominant showing against Gerflor in the Premier Volleyball League Second All-Filipino Conference on Saturday night.
The Angels’ depth was on full display at the Batangas City Sports Center here, with a total of 10 players scoring two or more points in the 25-11, 25-4, 25-23 win over the Defenders.
Marian Buitre and Nicole Tiamzon took charge with eight points each, while Grethcel Soltones and Ranya Musa chipped in seven points apiece in the victory that elevated Petro Gazz’s standing to 2-0.
Jonah Sabete and Remy Palma contributed six points each, while Djanel Cheng (4), Dzi Gervacio (3), KC Galdones (3), and Aiza Pontillas (2) also contributed to the win.
“I was really happy kasi nakita natin kung paano mag-laro yung girls especially kapag naging disiplinado sila sa pinapagawa sa kanila,” said Sto. Tomas, who replaced Oliver Almadro as head coach prior to the season-ending conference.
“So I was very happy na nag-respond naman sila doon sa pinag-aralan namin, pinag-usapan namin during training. So ayun, lumabas yung results nitong medyo pinag-aralan namin the past few days,” he added.
In addition to the balanced offensive attack, the Angels showcased their remarkable floor defense, limiting the Defenders to just four points in the second set, marking the second lowest output for a team in league history.
Petro Gazz held Gerflor to just two attack points in the second set.
“I’ll give credit to the girls kasi talagang nakita natin yung ano, yung sipag saka yung tiyaga nila sa loob ng court na even though we had long rallies during that set, we were able to get the break points,” said Sto. Tomas.
“Saka happy din ako kasi ang ganda din ng sinerve namin kaya medyo nahirapan din yung Gerflor makapag-counter sa amin,” he added, as the Angels tallied eight service aces in the win.
For his part, the Ateneo men’s volleyball head coach said that he is fortunate to have inherited a team full of veterans and big-time players who are always ready to contribute whenever called upon.
“Like what I always say, sobrang swerte ko kasi I’m blessed with these girls na alam nila yung mga roles nila. Alam nila yung mga trabaho nila,” he said.
“Kahit sino yung ipasok sa loob, alam nila yung gagawin nila kaya sobrang swerte ko rin talaga and very happy din na nakita mo na kahit sino yung gamitin sa loob, talagang magde-deliver.”
