MANILA, Philippines – Due to an unexplained injury, Jonah Sabete was unable to participate in Petro Gazz’s campaign, so he observed from the sidelines for two exhausting months. In the 2024–25 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference, however, she made a miraculous comeback when her team needed her most, enabling the Angels avoid elimination and force their quarterfinal series against ZUS Coffee to a decisive Game 3.

After making her comeback in Game 2, Sabete quickly demonstrated her worth by scoring 11 important points in Petro Gazz’s decisive 25-19, 25-13, and 28-26 thumping of the Thunderbelles on Saturday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

Sabete was thankful that she was able to return, but she also acknowledged the tremendous pressure that accompanied her return, even though she was truly delighted to be back. She was aware of the difficulties in living up to expectations, but she never wavered in her concentration on the confidence her teammates had in her, especially when it came to defense.

Acknowledging the responsibility that came with her return, Sabete said she was always reminding herself that people believed in her and supported her. She mentioned that this gave her encouragement and comfort in the face of stress. Since her presence on the court also influenced the team’s general dynamic and morale, she realized that her role went beyond her own play.

Despite the pressure to perform, Sabete was adamant about doing so and found strength in her teammates’ faith in her. She felt that their faith in her defensive prowess strengthened her resolve to play every game to the best of her abilities. She approached the challenge of her comeback with a mindset centered on tenacity and accountability, hoping to achieve and surpass the standards set for her while demonstrating her ready to make a significant contribution to the team’s success.

The Angels had a strong 10-game winning streak going into the quarterfinals. However, in a startling turn of events, they lost to an inspired ZUS Coffee team in straight sets in the first set of the series, 21-25, 23-25, 25-27. Petro Gazz needed a spark while they were facing away from the wall. Koji Tsuzurabara, the head coach, then looked to Sabete.

After losing Game 1, Tsuzurabara contacted Sabete to inquire if she was prepared to come back and give it her all in the crucial Game 2. The 31-year-old wing spiker took the call without hesitation.

The team’s performance was greatly impacted by poor passing, which Sabete acknowledged was a problem. Coach Koji contacted her after the game to ask if she could play her best in the next one. She said that she will do her best and stay committed to becoming better.

Despite the little preparation time, Sabete resolved to put in more effort because she saw the necessity for quick changes. Although she was aware of the strain, she decided to rise to the occasion because the team had only one day to train. She understood that they would need to work together as well as individually to improve their game, particularly in resolving their fleeting issues.

Despite the difficulties, Sabete was adamant about stepping up and helping out since he thought they might become better in their next game with the correct attitude and cooperation. Her dedication demonstrated her resolve to keep going and get beyond obstacles.

Sabete reintegrated into the team’s system with ease, offering both defensive stability and offensive potency despite the short training period. Her arrival gave the Angels fresh life, and they responded with a strong showing to force a decisive Game 3.

Angels star Brooke Van Sickle, who hailed the experienced spiker’s influence on the court, was among the most thrilled to see Sabete back in play.

She emphasized how her presence on the floor had a big impact and expressed her particular satisfaction at Jonah’s homecoming. Van Sickle described Jonah as a fiery player who added a new level of intensity to the team, highlighting her energy and passion of competition. Jonah’s return, in her opinion, improved their performance and raised their spirits in general.