BACARRA, ILOCOS NORTE — The current Petro Gazz roster is different compared to the one that Creamline went up against in the past two Premier Volleyball League finals.
Gone are Cherry Nunag, Jonah Sabete, Des Cheng, Jovielyn Prado, Kai Nepomuceno-Baloaloa, and Jeanette Panaga — who are now with Creamline.
Bolstering the Arnold Laniog-coached squad are new additions Grethcel Soltones, Ces Molina, Myla Pablo, Ria Meneses, and Rem Palma.
And the new pieces, obviously, made the squad a very different monster to beat.
“It was a shaky start sa amin din, and we cannot take out the credit from the Petro Gazz Angels.
“Grabe rin talaga ‘yung blockings nila and ‘yung addition ni Ria Meneses, Remy Palma, and Ces Molina. Ate Myla has always been there for other teams, and she delivers also,” said Valdez after Creamline’s 24-26, 28-26, 25-22, 25-20 win against the retooled Angels.
Despite the roster revamp, though, Petro Gazz remained the same balanced squad, according to Valdez.
And you can trace all that back to veteran setter Chie Saet.
“One of the things that we really commend sa team nila is Ate Chie Saet.
“She knows how to balance, she knows how to run the team, and that’s why napakaganda talaga ng galaw din nila. And the coaching staff, we really commend them,” said the seven-time conference MVP.
Saet finished with 25 assists and six points in Petro Gazz’s first loss of the season.
“Good thing lang nakinig din kami sa coaches namin to play our game. And fortunately nakalusot din talaga kami ngayon,” she added.
“Madami pang games so tiyaga tiyaga one game at a time.”
Valdez, on the other hand, notched a triple-double with 16 points built on 13 attacks, two aces, and a block. She also had 21 excellent digs and 18 excellent receptions.
With the win, Creamline tied Chery Tiggo at the number one spot with identical 2-0 win-loss slates.
