Petro Gazz's plethora of middle blockers are taking on the challenge of competing against each other for more minutes on the taraflex as the Angels seek an elusive PVL All-Filipino title.
The Petro Gazz Angels aren’t just loaded at the spiker position. They also have plenty of options when it comes to middle blockers.
This was evident during the Angels’ straight-sets win over the Capital1 Solar Spikers, 25-19, 25-18, 25-9, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City last February 11, with Petro Gazz notching a seventh straight win.
During the match, coach Koji Tsuzurabara fielded five of his seven middle blockers, a unit that consists of team captain Remy Palma, MJ Phillips, Ranya Musa, KC Galdones, Ethan Arce, Joy Dacoron, and Marian Buitre.
With plenty of options at his disposal, the Japanese tactician is making it a point to give his players equal opportunity to make a case to start and get minutes in their games.
“In my team, we have seven middle blockers. Too many, seven [all over] for one play, and one injured (Marian Buitre). So Ranya to KC [they work a lot] every day, and they are aggressive,” Tsuzurabara said during the post-game press conference.
“All the middle blockers in the team are in a competition now, so the team can improve. I expect my team to be great.”
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Musa, for one, has been making strides after suffering an ACL injury back in November 2023. She had her best game yet since her injury return with five points.
“I think wala medyo malayo pa ako [sa top form] and also day by day ‘di ko naman makukuha agad ‘yun. ‘Yung bigay na tiwala sa akin ng team i-prove ko lang na kaya ko to,” said Musa.
Galdones is likewise looking to prove herself to Tsuzurabara, contributing two points off the bench.
“Malaking bagay ‘yung binibigay ni coach sa amin na tiwala kasi sa training sobra-sobra kami. Every training talaga is nilalaban namin ‘yung chance namin na makapag-play parang ang laking ano sa amin na napili kaming ipasok and ilaro,” she shared.
Despite needing to share minutes with other middle blockers in the team, Musa and Galdones are taking on the challenge to prove themselves worthy of consistent minutes for a championship-seeking team like the Angels.
“We have seven middles, or as of now six, healthy competition nakakatulong sa team mas mag-improve,” said Musa.
“Sa akin, madaming middles, so ang mindset ko ‘di ako basta basta magpapatalo. Friendly competition nga. Para sa akin mas bata ako sa kanila, mas kaya ko,” Galdones added.