Petro Gazz head coach Jerry Yee rued the Angels’ lack of first ball in its Game One loss to Creamline in the 2022 Premier Volleyball League Open Conference finals on Wednesday night.
The team only had 31 excellent digs and 40 excellent receptions compared to the Cool Smashers’ 89 and 38, respectively, in the 16-25, 25-23, 12-25, 30-32 defeat which put the Angels in danger of losing the Open Conference title.
Yee also pointed out that the team had a hard time covering Tots Carlos’ jump serves which made it impossible for Petro Gazz to set up plays.
“Wala kaming first ball e, si Tots nakarami sa amin ng jump serve niya then ‘di kami nakapag-respond agad,” lamented Yee as Carlos finished with 26 points which included three aces.
“So doon naman mag-uugat yun, kung may first ball ka, may play ka.”
Still, Yee was happy with the fight that his wards showed against the unbeaten Cool Smashers. Moreover, the loss gave him the chance to see what needs to be worked on heading to the team’s do-or-die match this coming Friday.
“Masaya kami, if you will see, Creamline ang hirap hulhihin niyan so we are happy na somehow, na-narrow down na namin yung mga kailangan naming gawin.
“Yung matchups somehow okay naman for us. Ayun, maganda yung laro ng girls so we showed some heart ‘di ba,” said Yee.
The national girls’ team head coach also remained positive about the team’s chances to turn things around in the series. After all, the Angels have been in this situation a few days ago.
After losing Game One of the semifinals to Cignal, Petro Gazz showed heart and grabbed the next two games to enter the finals.
”Ganito na lang, the team is mature enough.
“Kumapit lang, lumaban lang, kung bibigyan niyo kami ng break, kukunin namin. Kung padidikitin niyo [kami], e ‘di kukunin namin. So, up to you, basta kami gusto ko yung maturity ng team, lalaro lang ‘yan come Friday laro lang kami,” he said.
