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The Petro Gazz Angels officially begin life after Japanese mentor Koji Tsuzurabara.
ILOCOS SUR – Who would have thought that after three months, the Petro Gazz Angels would no longer be with the coach who steered them to a historic PVL All-Filipino Conference title?
Well, that’s the reality now for the Angels, with Japanese tactician Koji Tsuzurabara parting ways with the team midway through their campaign in the PVL On Tour.
And on Tuesday, July 29, Petro Gazz officially began life after Coach Koji, dispatching the Choco Mucho Flying Titans 20-25, 25-19, 26-24, 25-19 to wrap up pool play at the Candon City Arena in Ilocos Sur.
For veteran Myla Pablo, there is no more use crying over spilled milk, and all that’s left to do is to focus on fine-tuning any issues after a slow start in the preseason conference.
“I know na maraming problem ang Petro, pero syempre, focus lang kami kung ano ‘yung sinasabi ng mga coaches namin, and also andiyan din naman si Coach Brian [Esquibel] na naga-guide sa amin sa loob ng court,” she said.
Pablo stressed that a step-by-step approach will be crucial in the Angels’ ongoing transition phase.
“Yung kay Coach Koji kasi, biglaan din naman ‘yun eh, so sabi namin, parang tapusin muna itong elimination against Choco Mucho, then after that, magko-crossover [quarterfinals], and kailangan namin makuha ‘yung winning game kasi laglagan na rin,” said Pablo, who has been Petro Gazz’s go-to scorer throughout the On Tour preliminaries.
But are there any hard feelings toward Coach Koji? Not really, according to the veteran winger.
If anything, Pablo believes that Petro Gazz will continue to apply whatever lessons they have learned under the Japanese mentor’s tutelage.
“Kung ano ‘yung iniwan ni Coach Koji sa amin ng mga one year, andiyan pa rin naman siya eh,” she said, with Coach Koji leading Petro Gazz to two podium finishes, including an All-Filipino title, during his stay.
“Kumbaga ‘yung presence niya sa loob ng court, ‘yung sinasabi niya sa mga tao niya, andiyan pa rin naman, so kung ano ‘yung magiging resulta this conference, i-enjoy na lang namin.”
Images courtesy of the Premier Volleyball League.