PVL: Jonah Sabete admits pressure in timely return for Petro Gazz in All-Filipino QF

ANTIPOLO—After nearly two months on the sidelines due to a minor injury, Jonah Sabete made her much-anticipated return and immediately made an impact for the Petro Gazz Angels in their do-or-die quarterfinals match against the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles.

Sabete delivered 11 points in the crucial Game 2 victory, helping the Angels force a decider in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference quarterfinals.

“Actually, I’m happy na nakabalik pa rin ako pero ‘yung pressure andoon din talaga," Sabete shared. "Pressure pero sinasabi ko lang sa sarili ko na ang daming nagtitiwala sa akin like sa defense and pasa.”

Petro Gazz struggled in their first quarterfinal match, especially when it came to their digging and receiving.

Sabete revealed that after the loss, head coach Koji Tsuzurabara made a gamble.

“Actually, nagkulang lang din talaga kami sa pasa. After that game, coach Koji chatted me na, ‘Can you play 100 percent?’ ‘Yun nga sabi ko, ‘I’ll try my 100 percent, let’s work this next game,’” she recalled. “So ‘yun lang ginawa ko. Kasi one day lang din kami nag-preparation for team practice. So pressure, andoon talaga.”

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As she missed a significant portion of the extended conference, the 30-year-old opposite hitter watched from the sidelines as her teammates stepped up and kept the team competitive.

“Sobrang ano [proud] ako sa kanila. Like from nakaraan na-eliminate kami sa quarterfinals, 'di ba? Siyempre, happy na kahit wala ako, andoon pa rin ‘yung aggressiveness ng team na makaangat talaga,” she said.

With Sabete back in action and Petro Gazz showing renewed determination, the Angels are looking to sustain their momentum as they fight for a spot in the semifinals.

The winner-take-all Game 3 between Petro Gazz and ZUS Coffee is set for Tuesday, March 25 at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.