PETRO Gazz has now completed a remarkable triennial sweep of the PVL Reinforced Conference, ruling the import-laced tournament in 2019, 2022 and again in 2025.
And with every title run came the usual chatter that the Angels thrived only because of their reinforcements.
For Myla Pablo, now a two-time Reinforced champion with the franchise, such a narrative does not hold up.
READ: Petro Gazz ends Zus Coffee's dream run, claims fourth PVL title
The former PVL MVP insisted that Petro Gazz has never been a team built solely around imports, especially with reinforcements staying just a few months at a time.
What has driven their continued success, she argued, is the collective resolve and internal foundation built within their local core.
“I heard nga about sa mga sinasabi na import lang ‘yung gumagawa sa’min. I think ‘di naman siguro kasi team effort naman ‘yung nangyayari ngayon at lahat naman gumagawa,” Pablo told SPIN.ph after delivering the championship-clinching hit in their 21-25, 28-26, 25-23, 25-20 triumph over ZUS Coffee on Sunday.
“Mas ginusto lang talaga namin manalo every game ngayong playoffs. Pinaghirapan namin lahat ‘to sa training at sa tulong ng coaches namin. ‘Yung tiwala at pagcover para sa isa’t-isa, ‘yun ‘yung nangibabaw.”
And the numbers back her up.
While two-time champion import Lindsey Vander Weide did lead the scoring in the title game with 23 points, the local trio of newly crowned three-time conference MVP Brooke Van Sickle, two-time Finals MVP MJ Phillips and Pablo herself combined for 51 points, underscoring the roster’s balance and depth.
Even Petro Gazz’s supporting cast, led by captain Remy Palma, played pivotal roles from the bench, offering in-game reads and adjustments that helped steady the Angels through momentum swings.
"'Yung mga teammates namin sa labas, nag-guide din talaga lalo na si Rem [Palma] sa kung ano 'yung mga dapat naming gawin kasi sila rin naman 'yung nakakakita [ng laro] sa labas eh," she shared.
The title also completes a historic first for the franchise that had them win two championships in the same calendar year, having captured the All-Filipino crown last April against no less than 10-time champion Creamline.
Import or no import, Petro Gazz can rule
With or without reinforcements, Pablo believes the Angels have proven enough that they can win, dominate and continue setting the standard moving forward.
And as the next conference looms late in January next year, where the Angels are expected to defend their All-Filipino crown without Vander Weide once again, Pablo is confident that Petro Gazz’ identity and culture will hold firm.
“Kailangan naming i-maintain pa rin ‘yung team namin and ‘yung family namin, ‘yung respect, ‘yung communication,” she said.
“By next conference, madala pa rin namin ‘yung kumpiyansa. Pinanghahawakan ko talaga sa Petro Gazz ‘yung respect at tiwala na binibigay nila sa akin sa laro ko at sa laro namin.”
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