JONAH Sabete is no longer surprised when asked to switch roles in a Petro Gazz team loaded with MVP spikers.
On Tuesday, the 30-year-old outside hitter was asked to play the opposite role in Petro Gazz’ win over PLDT following a last-minute shakeup by head coach Koji Tsuzurabara. She gave a good account of herself with 17 points.
READ: Petro Gazz awakes from nightmare first set to deny PLDT
The shakeup opened the way for PVL MVPs Brooke Van Sickle and Myla Pablo to fill in the two lead outside hitter roles, with Sabete and former Philippine Superliga (PSL) MVP Aiza Maizo-Pontillas as utility wingers.
Surprise, surprise
Sabete was still training as an outside hitter prior to the PLDT match. Needless to say, the late change caught her by surprise.
But knowing the unpredictable’ nature of her coach who tends to pull tricks out of his hat every now and then, Sabete is always ready to adapt to any curveballs that might come her way.
“Lagi naman akong sinasabihan na ‘ready ka lang’ kasi ‘di mo alam kung ano rin talaga magiging posisyon mo,” Sabete shared with SPIN.ph.
“Sobrang happy din naman ako kasi it means na hindi ako sub lang, which means I have a big responsibility na kapag once na ikaw binunot niya, kailangan mo mag-perform.”
Whatever it takes
Sabete said she's ready to do whatever it takes, even if it means having to play second fiddle for the benefit of the team.
In fact, Sabete has been hands-on in guiding Pablo back to form as she takes on lead outside hitter duties which used to be hers and Van Sickle’s.
“Sinasabihan rin naman namin si Myla na ‘kaya mo yan, dati nga, kaya ka nabansagan na Myla Pablo, ‘di ba?’
“Gina-guide namin si Myla, like ‘My, variate mo lang ‘yung palo mo.’ ‘Yung mga guide, little guide lang kasi we know Myla. Alam naman niya [laro niya]. Konting advice lang din minsan ‘pag kung ano ‘yung mga nakikita namin sa labas.
It's the opposite with the veteran Maizo-Pontillas.
Sabete said, “Si Nang [Aiza], nandiyan siya to guide us naman lagi sa team namin sa loob ng court.”
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