Petro Gazz captain Remy Palma emerged as a steady presence that guided the Angels over the Creamline Cool Smashers in a pressure-packed bout in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
When Petro Gazz found itself teetering under the pressure of a fierce battle with rival Creamline on Saturday night, Remy Palma proved to be the anchor that steadied the ship for the Angels.
Palma displayed unwavering composure and leadership, showing the way for the Angels in a cardiac five-set escape act over the Cool Smashers at the jam-packed Sta.Rosa Sports Complex in Laguna.
For being the heart and soul of Petro Gazz, head coach Koji Tsuzurabara feels nothing but gratitude for the Angels captain.
“Thank you so much to captain Rem for always controlling [the emotions] of other players. She made sure Petro Gazz would have good teamwork,” the Japanese mentor said of Palma.
“In this five-set win, she always provided good leadership. She was our hero.”
Petro Gazz did not just take on the formidable defending champions, but also withstood the deafening roar of Creamline’s passionate legion of supporters that filled the stadium to the brim.
The hostile atmosphere of the arena proved overwhelming for the Angels in the opening frame, where the Cool Smashers unleashed a blistering 12-0 stampede for a commanding lead.
“At the start of the game, I feel like we’re a little tense, definitely that crowd, like Creamline has such an amazing fanbase,” shared Petro Gazz ace Brooke Van Sickle, who poured out a career-high 29 points in the thrilling victory.
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“Captain Rem, she did an amazing job, coming on the court. The crowd and everything, so much high energy, she was able to gather us and be like, ‘Hey, guys, deep breaths.’ And just reminded to stay where we are, and just take one point at a time,” she furthered.
The unyielding spirit of Palma instilled belief in every member of Petro Gazz, rallying the team to fight for every point with grit and determination.
“‘Yung naging reminder ko sa bawa't isa, sinabi ko na kapag binigyan tayo ng opportunity, yakapin natin. Kapag binigyan tayo ng chance, pagpursigihan pa natin na i-grab lahat ng chance na makukuha namin kasi knowing Creamline, matindi sila kumapit hanggang sa dulo,” the 5-foot-10 middle blocker said.
The Angels regained their bearings and went on to complete a spirited comeback from a set down, gaining crucial ground in the heated semifinals race in the season-opening conference.
“Lagi ko naman din silang ni-reremind na nasa sa’tin naman kung magpapaapekto tayo sa crowd, kung ma-ppressure tayo. Pressure is normal pero ang tanong dun is kung paano mo siya iha-handle,” said Palma, who finished with 12 points, four of which coming from blocks.
“Sobrang nakaka-overwhelm, yes. But at the end of the day, if ikaw ‘yung magpapa-apekto, ikaw rin naman ‘yung matatalo. Kami, ang dami naming experiences na malaking crowd so parang ikaw, nasa sayo na lang kung paano mo babaunin ‘yung experiences — kung magpapatalo ka sa ingay ng crowd o mas lalagyan mo ng puso and also magiging mentally tough ka.”
Through the reliable presence of Palma, Petro Gazz climbed to a 6-2 record, grabbing hold of second place in the standings with 19 points ahead of its recent victim, Creamline, which also possesses a similar 6-2 slate (18 points).
Palma and the rest of the Angels seek to continue jockeying for crucial positioning as they set their sights on fellow contenders, the Cignal HD Spikers, on April 16.
“Ibang paghahanda na ulit ‘yung gagawin namin, ibang mga tao ulit ‘yung babantayan namin. So hindi namin pwedeng masyadong ilagay sa ulo namin ‘yung panalo kasi tapos na ‘yun eh,” Palma said.
“Tapos na ‘yung panalo. Ang gagawin namin, baunin namin ‘yung mga magagandang experience ngayon then ‘yung mga lapses namin, ‘yun ‘yung pupunan namin.”