Following their disappointing exit last Reinforced Conference, the Petro Gazz Angels are ready to have another go at the PVL crown, with former MVP Brooke Van Sickle at the forefront.
2024 Reinforced Conference record: 5-3 (6th place)
Key returnee: MJ Phillips
Key players: Brooke Van Sickle, Aiza Maizo Pontillas, Djanel Cheng, Remy Palma
Coach: Koji Tsuzurabara
One word to describe Petro Gazz’s upcoming campaign
Revitalized
The 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference wasn’t how the Angels expected their tournament to go, especially with high expectations to defend their title.
But with a fresh start and a new season, Petro Gazz is looking to cement itself right away as a title contender again, led by former MVP Brooke Van Sickle.
[ALSO READ: Brooke Van Sickle prioritizes team success over individual accolades with Petro Gazz in PVL]
With a long All-Filipino Conference that will span until May, Van Sickle and the rest of the Angels have been preparing their bodies to do battle once more.
“Since it’s a lot longer conference I feel like we’ve been doing really well with listening to our bodies,” Van Sickle told One Sports.
“It was good for my body to rest and like my mentality to reset and everything, so I think it was very beneficial and just day-by-day. It’s a long conference so what we gotta do is make sure we stay injury-free and we make sure we put the right kind of fuel in our bodies,” she added.
Biggest X-Factor for Choco Mucho this season
MJ Phillips.
The two-time Best Middle Blocker should make her return for Petro Gazz at some point in the season, after missing out on the Reinforced Conference due to a left foot injury.
Once Phillips gets back on the taraflex, the Angels will have another arsenal to their already-loaded roster as they eye their first All-Filipino title.
“The recovery process has been really long. It has taken a toll on my body and mentally as well, so I’m just trying to prepare. I wouldn’t say I’m 100% ready for the beginning of the conference but thankfully it’s a long season so I can get back to it,” said Phillips.
Best-case scenario
Petro Gazz has fully adjusted to coach Koji Tsuzurabara's system, as they start the conference strong and distance themselves from other teams.
Van Sickle also continues her stellar performances, making the case for a second MVP award.
With a healthy and well-rested roster, the Angels assert themselves as one of the favorites to win the All-Filipino Conference.
Worst-case scenario
The Angels struggle with the long PVL conference as they remain in the middle of the standings.
Other veterans and reliable role players in the team also fail to find their form as Petro Gazz narrowly misses out on the semifinals.
[ALSO READ: PVL: Remy Palma admits Petro Gazz still adjusting to coach Koji Tsuzurabara’s system]
Bold prediction
Petro Gazz will reach the finals of the 2024-2025 All-Filipino Conference.