MANILA, Philippines – In particular, now that she has her sights set on a more difficult job, MJ Phillips is not one to rest on her laurels. The Petro Gazz middle blocker is unwaveringly committed to her team’s championship run in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference, despite her impending audition in the Korean V-League. The Korean Volleyball Association invited Phillips to take part in the V-Asian League’s Quota Player Draft, and Phillips, who was named the Reinforced Conference’s top middle blocker, confirmed that she had agreed. As the Angels secured their place in the gold medal series on Thursday night, this news was announced shortly afterward.

Through a conversation with teammate Vania Edralin, Phillips learned about the potential to play in Korea. She told me that the Korean League was seeking a [player] for the Asian Quota, so I felt I’d give it a chance, Phillips recalled. They supported me all the way. Of course, I asked the management since there’s a chance that it’ll come in the middle of the season. The 6-foot middle blocker is eager to put her abilities to the test against Korea’s elite athletes. Not that this isn’t high-quality volleyball, she continued, “I just want to see how my talents level up to that because Korea is simply on another level,” she said. The Angels defeated PLDT 25 to 17, 25 to 23, 25 to 15 in Game Three at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, with Phillips leading the charge with a game-high 15 points on 11 attacks and four kill blocks.

The PVL championship match will now see Petro Gazz taking on Creamline for the fourth time. A number of Filipino athletes have received invitations to the Korean V-League Draft, including Phillips. Dindin Santiago-Manabat of Akari, Mylene Paat of Chery Tiggo, Jia De Guzman of Creamline, and Majoy Baron and Iris Tolenada of F2 Logistics have all been invited to participate in the women’s pool. On the men’s side, Jau Umandal of AMC-Cotabato, JP Bugaoan, and Marck Espejo of Cignal are all asked to try out.