Coming off championship, Petro Gazz and its reemerging star continue feeling their way under new coach

Grethcel Soltones and Petro Gazz find themselves in similar situations to find their way back to their old form.

For the Angels, it’s about reinserting themselves into the conversation on the favorites in the ongoing All-Filipino Conference Premier Volleyball League, the only tournament removed from the last title.

“Because all the teams are strong, we take it one match at a time,” said Soltones, who is also looking to rebuild after his promising career as one of the country’s top scorers was put on hold for a while. cheating.

Soltones finished with 14 points on Saturday as Petro Gazz saw them spearhead his team 28-26, 25-18, 25-13, against Cignal at the Philsports Arena.

It was the second straight win for the Angels.

“We just kept the pace of our game,” said Soltones after bolstering Remy Palma’s team leading 15 points.

Palma had 10 points in the attack in various fashion, while coming through with four blocks. Djanel Cheng threw 19 excellent sets and Cienne Cruz and Jellie Tempiatura finished with 14 excellent receptions and 11 excellent digs, respectively, for the Angels.

The win was a much-needed boost of confidence for the Angels, against a team they revived in the Reinforced Conference Finals last season. After losing a key player and hiring a new coach in Oliver Almadro, there are questions as to whether Petro Gazz can follow up the title conquest.

“This is a moral boost for us because we are facing big teams to start the campaign, Creamline, Choco Mucho, then Cignal,” said Almadro.

Slowly, the Angels found their feet.

“I just told them, we have to get one game at a time and what I told them is that they did it before when they played in the finals, they can do it again. Be them. I just motivate them and guide them,” said Almadro.

Again confidence

What is important is that Soltones, a former San Sebastian star, gained attacking confidence in Almadro. Of his total points on Saturday, 13 were kills.

The Angels stood up in the first set when they blew a 24-21 advantage with Ces Molina, Rachel Anne Daquis, and Chai Troncoso forcing the HD Spikers to tie the game. Petro Gazz eventually took the opening set with a Soltones cross-court attack and a Gel Cayuna error from game 1-2.

The Angels then head to the coast for a 2-1 record (win-loss).

Molina led the HD Spikers with 11 points and eight receptions, while Daquis added nine points and nine receptions. But Cignal, who won from Akari’s young squad, gave up many free points with 22 errors.

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