By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Still in euphoria after winning the PVL Reinforced Conference on Tuesday, the Petro Gazz Angels are now looking forward to their next mission – the Open Conference in February next year.
Having quenched their thirst and savored the feeling of being a champion team, Petro Gazz coach Rald Ricafort couldn’t help but think of their next strategy especially since the next battle is considered as the ultimate one because it’s an all-Filipino.
“Mabigat talaga ang laban sa all-Filipino, kasi yung ibang teams masyadong all-star na talaga (ang lineup),” Ricafort said.
“Like Creamline, yung mga Rebisco teams, F2 Logistics. Pero lumalaban pa rin naman kami, kumbaga, kaunting trabaho pa talaga siguro at soon, makaka-sungkit uli kami, pati sa all-Filipino.”
Ricafort knew the daunting task ahead, given their chief rivals’ powerhouse rosters, but he believes in the capabilities of his stalwarts particularly on how they jelled together with import Lindsey Vander Weide in nailing the Reinforced Conference crown.
And while Vander Weide, who won the Best Import and Finals MVP awards, was a big help in their title campaign, Ricafort also relied on the veteran presence of Aiza Pontillas, Djanel Cheng, MJ Phillips, Myla Pablo and Remy Palma.
“Thankful kami kasi marami kaming players na talagang naging ‘sponge.’ So kung ano yung in-instruct mo, yung ang gagawin. Thankful kami sa tiwala nila dahil ang bilis mag-work ng team kasi willing lahat na magtrabaho at open sa lahat ng instructions,” said Ricafort.
Ricafort said they need to further fine-tune their system and chemistry if they are to annex their second straight championship.
“Kailangan i-work out pa rin talaga yung sistema na binibigay sa mga locals. Unti-unti, nakukuha naman namin,” said Ricafort.
