GUARDIAN ANGELS
PetroGazz gets additional help from Pablo, Soltones
We still have much to improve on. But we are ready to do everything for our new team — PetroGazz
Two of the best open spikers in the country today — Myla Pablo and Grethcel Soltones — vowed to do whatever it takes to lead PetroGazz to a glorious finish in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) starting this May.
Speaking at the latest edition of The Athletes’ Tribune late Monday, Pablo and Soltones said they couldn’t wait to play together for the first time since leading the women’s national team in the AVC U23 Women’s Volleyball Championship in 2015.
Pablo said she would definitely hit the ground running with her new team as her familiarity with Soltones would be a major factor when they kick off their campaign in the country’s first professional women’s volleyball league.
“I am super excited to team up with Gretchel because we have been teammates before during the U23 in 2015,” said Pablo, one of the main gunner of that very talented youth squad that also had Alyssa Valdez, Jia Morado, Bea de Leon and Risa Sato.
“I am happy to play with her since I no longer have to adjust that much because I already know how she operates on the floor. Aside from that, I also already know her attitude on and off the court.”
Like Pablo, Soltones is also set to make her debut with the Angels.
She used to play for PLDT Home Fibr in the Philippine Superliga, but signed up with PetroGazz in January last year.
Unfortunately for her, the coronavirus pandemic struck and her training with the Angels took a backseat.
I think I won’t have a hard time adjusting to PetroGazz because all of my teammates are veterans and most of them have been my teammates before.
Joining Pablo and Soltones at PetroGazz are Frances Molina and Jerrili Malabanan, Seth Rodriguez, Remy Palma, Marivic Meneses, Chi Saet and star libero Kath Arado, forming a team that is capable of giving powerhouse squads like Creamline, Choco Mucho, PLDT and Cignal a serious run for their money. But talent alone couldn’t win a title. Pablo said they still have to do their part by working hard in training if they want to win their first title since winning the crown in the 2019 Reinforced Conference.
The adjustment, however, would definitely be smooth since they have better players who know what it takes to win the title.
“I think I won’t have a hard time adjusting to PetroGazz because all of my teammates are veterans and most of them have been my teammates before,” said the 27-year-old spiker from Tarlac.
Soltones agreed, adding that she’s looking forward to the start of the season since it would be her first time to play outside the system of her long-time mentor, Roger Gorayeb.
“I’m really excited because our coach is new to me so it would be challenging to know how he handles players,” said Soltones,” referring to their mentor in former College of Saint Benilde tactician Arnold Laniog.
Despite the chemistry, balance and firepower, Soltones said it’s still too early to talk about winning the title.
“We are not yet aiming for that, but hopefully, we reach that level soon. For now, since we are still starting, we would have to find a way to be on the same page on the floor,” Soltones said.
“We still have much to improve on. But we are ready to do everything for our new team — PetroGazz.”