MJ Phillips and Jonah Sabete are using Petro Gazz's heartbreak during the 2023 PVL First All-Filipino Conference as fuel against Creamline in this latest 2025 Finals series.
Two years ago, the Petro Gazz Angels stood in the same position as they are right now—one win away from a PVL All-Filipino crown—only to watch Creamline steal the title in back-to-back games.
In 2025, MJ Phillips and Jonah Sabete are trying to make sure history doesn't repeat itself.
The Angels leaned on the steady hands of Phillips and Sabete, who both tallied 16 points in their gritty five-set triumph over the defending champion Cool Smashers in Game 1 of the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Tuesday, April 8.
But while the win brings them to the doorstep of their first-ever All-Filipino title, the lessons from their 2023 Finals collapse are still fresh.
“We just don’t think about that time,” Phillips quipeed during the post-game press conference. “No, we remember it, and we’re gonna take that as fuel. We’re not gonna let that happen again.”
Petro Gazz’s star middle blocker stressed the need to keep their foot on the gas, especially after losing steam in the third set.
“One game at a time, one point at a time. We’re gonna try our best not to have that third-set energy dip. We have to come out firing and finish strong.”
[ALSO READ: Brooke Van Sickle relishes PVL Finals debut as Petro Gazz nears elusive All-Filipino title]
With Creamline expected to bounce back aggressively, Phillips also pointed to polishing their blocking and maintaining high energy as keys moving forward.
“We can fine-tune the blocking for sure. But more than that, the energy is the most important. Creamline is going to fight—we just have to push right back.”
For Sabete, the approach is just as important, understanding that the Cool Smashers will give it their all to force a deciding Game 3.
“Alam naman natin kung anong klaseng team ang Creamline. Kapag natatalo sila, mas grabe bumawi,” said Sabete. “Pero ngayon, ang iniisip lang namin, one point at a time. Kasi we are a challenger.”
“Maglalaro kami na parang walang bukas. 'Yun lang ang nasa isip namin—wala nang bukas talaga,” she added.
[ALSO READ: Jema Galanza stays positive despite Creamline’s Game 1 loss: ‘Di pa naman huli ang lahat’]
Armed with experience, hunger, and the painful memory of 2023, the Angels are determined to close the door this time—and finally bring home the PVL All-Filipino crown in 2025.