Petro strong enough for SGA

Games tomorrow (Filoil EcoOil Arena) 3 p.m. – Galeries Tower vs PLDT 5 p.m. – Nxled vs Choco Mucho

Petro Gazz coach Koji Tsuzurabara vowed to put on a good show during the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference launch less than a week ago.

Yesterday, the battle-scarred Japanese mentor gave one as his Angels swooped down on the hapless Strong Group Athletics spikers, 25-12, 25-20, 25-12, to set in motion their ambitious title bid at the PhilSports Arena. Nicole Tiamzon took advantage of her opportunities and uncorked a match-best 15 points while some of the big guns like newly-minted captain Remy Palma, Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, Djanel Cheng and Myla Pablo played just a set or two. While it was a win, Tsuzurabara stressed there’s still much to be desired. “All players were too nervous, it showed. No good movement, they committed lots of mistakes. Today (yesterday) was so-so,” said Tsuzurabara, who steered the team to the PNVF Champions League crown just a week back. Fil-Am Brooke Van Sickle agreed as she too had a rough debut. “I would say I feel we’re a little tense, not really flowing as well. Probably, first-game jitters a little bit,” said the 24-year-old Hawaii-born spiker. Tiamzon promised to make amends when the team resumes practice today. “Very thankful for the opportunity to play,” said Tiamzon. “We’re trying to find our chemistry. Also, it’s our first game, marami lapses pa, maraming errors.” “Tomorrow, we’ll get back to training and fix everything,” she added. With Palma and Pontillas sitting down after the troublefree first set, SGA pounced on its chances and gave Petro Gazz a run for its money in the second set. But Tiamzon and the Angels held their ground to preserve the set and eventually the win as they never gave the Frank Lao-owned franchise another opportunity.