MANILA, Philippines – Their second consecutive five-set matchup in the 2022 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference, Petro Gazz was guaranteed to survive thanks to the 1 to 2 punch of Lindsey Vander Weide and MJ Phillips.

The Angels defeated the Crossovers on Saturday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, 25 to 14, 24 to 26, 25 to 13, 21 to 25, 15 to 9, thanks to a crucial rally in which Phillips scored four points in a row and Vander Weide nailed the decisive points.

The Filipina-American middle blocker supported her with 23 points highlighted by seven massive blocks, 15 attacks, and an ace. The American import concluded the game with a game-high 29 points on 25 attacks, two aces, and two kill blocks along with 12 outstanding digs.

Especially in the decisive set, Phillips claimed she didn’t want to let her squad down. Having a player like Phillips by her side, according to Vander Weide, lessens her workload and she is very confident that the former will perform when it counts.

I was only thinking, “We’ve got to win,” at that very moment. We simply have to take whatever action is necessary and carry it out. Nothing would get by us, and no ball would be dropped. After the victory, which moved Phillips up to sole third with a 4 to 2 record, she commented, “That was just our approach the entire time.

“We are unquestionably of the same opinion. In circumstances like that, MJ consistently delivers. She was going to do it, I knew it. She was going to throw the ball away and close the block, and I was extremely confident that she would carry out her duties. It is therefore a wonderful feeling to have someone on the court next to you in those crucial situations, particularly in fifth sets, said Vander Weide.

MJ Phillips has been very promising

As a middle blocker, MJ Phillips shone brilliantly and helped Petro Gazz win their opening 2022 Premier Volleyball League Open Conference match. 

The Filipino-American, who was acquired from the disbanded Sta. Jerry Yee, coach of Petro Gazz, said Since their lineup includes numerous talented wing spikers, including Myla Pablo, Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, Gretchel Soltones, Nicole Tiamzon, and Jonah Sabete, Lucia offered to volunteer to be converted to middle blocker in the off-season. 

“MJ offered to take the middle blocker position because she sincerely wants to help the team. On the team, we already have a lot of open and opposite spikers, added Yee.

Her voluntarily switching to the middle changed everything. She is capable of running attacks, which she has been performing since the beginning, he continued. 

To date, Yee has been able to manage his wonderful problem with the rotation of spikers because of Phillips’ decision to man the frontline. 

The head coach of the Angels, who was reinstated after serving as a consultant for Petro Gazz from 2019 to 2021, nevertheless intends to make the most of his deep squad in the pool stage, which is why he rotated 11 of his 13 players in their opening contest.

We’re attempting to make use of our new players. We want to give them playing time because this is our first game. Since we only have three games left in the first round, we want to make the most of our lineup, so we must field everyone, distribute the workload evenly, and extend everyone’s playing time, the coach stated.