BY ABBY TORALBA
BOOSTED by a new coach and prized recruits, new-look Petro Gazz whipped Philippine Army 25-11, 25-19, 25-19 as the PNVF Champions League got going yesterday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila.
Fil-Am Brooke Van Sickle showed the way for the Angels with 16 points along with setter Djanel Cheng in their first match in the week-long tourney.
Open hitter Nicole Tiamzon and returning Angel Myla Pablo added a combined 17 markers as Petro Gazz launched its bid on a rousing note.
“I said to the players before the game (to) have fun (together with) each other. Today is my first game (as a coach),” the Angels’ Japanese coach Koji Tsuzurabara said. “Brooke is good. She also had her game (here for the) first time.
“So, she has to understand the atmosphere in Philippine volleyball, (with) opponents, spectators,” she added.
Nene Bautista paced the Lady Troopers with 10 markers, while Royse Tubino chipped in seven.
Petro Gazz seeks a second straight win today when it takes on Cignal at 6 p.m. at the same venue.
Philippine Army, on the other hand, shoots for its first victory when it battles reigning NCAA champion College of Saint Benilde in the curtain-raiser at 3 o’clock.
