After a sluggish start to the 2024 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference, Petro Gazz found its rhythm with four straight wins heading into the knockout quarterfinals.
However, the Angels’ resurgence came to a sudden halt on Tuesday evening when they suffered a 23-25, 19-25, 18-25 defeat to the Creamline Cool Smashers, ending their campaign.
Petro Gazz’s Cuban import, Wilma Salas, acknowledged the difficulty of crashing out in the quarterfinals, especially as the defending champions.
Despite the disappointment, Salas accepted the outcome, reflecting on her many experiences of highs and lows throughout her professional career, which began in 2007.
“We always go to the court to try everything. Today, it didn’t happen but this is life. This is volleyball,” said Salas, who had also experienced a slow start to the conference.
“I don’t feel bad because I know we tried really hard in every ball, in every point. So, I only want to say thank you to Petro Gazz, thank you to my team, thank you to all the girls,” she added.
The Angels’ shaky start, marked by a 1-3 record, wasn’t solely due to their performance.
Petro Gazz faced various challenges, including a flu outbreak that sidelined multiple players. Key players like Djanel Cheng, Jonah Sabete, and Remy Palma missed games due to illness, and MJ Phillips did not participate at all due to a leg injury.
Additionally, middle blocker KC Galdones suffered an early injury and was unable to return.
(C) PVL Images
“Siguro nagkulang din talaga kami as a team, hindi rin namin na-maximize ‘yung mga dapat namin gawin. And hindi din pumabor ‘yung mga pagkakataon, but still we did try our best,” said team captain Palma.
“Babaunin ulit, another experience na naman, another opportunity. Hindi naman din po para mawalan ng gana sa ginagawa.”
She went on, “So, still a great conference pa rin sa amin. Masasabi namin andami naming napagdaanan talaga na major bumps this conference, from start to finish.”
The Reinforced Conference had always been a strong suit for Petro Gazz, with the team securing championships in the import-laden tournaments of 2019 and 2022. However, this season proved different.
Looking ahead, the Angels are now focusing on the upcoming All-Filipino Conference, which will feature a longer format – a new experience for all teams.
Recognizing the challenges ahead, veteran setter Chie Saet emphasized the need for better and more thorough preparation.
“Dapat mas alagaan ‘yung sarili, mas magpakondisyon mabuti, araw-araw. Mas tibayan mo ‘yung utak mo, ‘yung loob mo, kasi ‘di mo masasabi kung ano ‘yung lalaruin ng bawat isa,” said the 39-year-old Saet.
