THERE’s a rather unique fuel to Petro Gazz’ winning fire as of late, something that was adapted by Japanese head coach Koji Tsuzurabara earlier this season.
While some teams would lean towards intensive warmups and pre-game exercises before games, the Angels’ pre-game ritual isn’t necessarily ideal but still a fun one: doughnuts.
Tsuzurabara wasn’t that much of a fan of the team’s existing eating habits when he first took charge of the Angels last year.
READ: Petro Gazz makes short work of Capital1 for 7th straight PVL win
Team captain Remy Palma stepped in to become a catalyst of Tsuzurabara’s Philippine-inspired change of heart — one that led to a sweet pre-game ritual that ignited a seven-game unbeaten run.
“Nu’ng una talaga, parang somehow, ayaw niya 'yung culture nga namin na kapag training or game, kumakain kami. Ngayon, siguro, na-adapt na niya 'yung culture na Pilipino tayo eh. We love food, guys. Alam naman natin 'yan,” said Palma.
“Nagulat din kami, nagdadala na siya ng pagkain, ng donut. Sabi namin, 'uy, parang ilang percent, Pilipino na rin si coach.' Nala-love na niya ‘yung culture na meron tayo.
“Tayo kasi, nakagawian na natin na kumain or mag-share ng food. Siya rin, somehow, na-adapt na niya 'yung ganong mindset and also 'yung culture na Pinoy.”
Sugar rush and culture shock
Playing in the Philippines has been a culture shock in itself for reigning Fil-American MVP Brooke Van Sickle.
Even if it isn’t ideal for high-performance athletes to consume ‘junk foods’ as often as the team has been doing, Van Sickle took a different route in explaining how such an instant yet moderate dose of ‘sugar rush’ has worked wonders for them.
“Of course, we’re not like eating all of it. It’s more of before or even after (our games). It’s one of those things where I feel like it’s kind of good in a way,” Van Sickle shared with SPIN.ph.
“Obviously, it’s junk food and as athletes, we shouldn’t be eating it. But in a way, it’s fast carbs, fast sugar. As long as we’re eating in moderation, it shouldn’t affect how we play.”
Tsuzurabara did guarantee that nutritious foods won’t ever be taken out of the equation in the Angels’ dietary program.
“We also have nutritious food coming, (but they can still eat) any chocolate, donut, hamburger, anything. These are (not) nutritious food, but (it) gives energy,” the Petro Gazz head coach said.
“Now, I have a new direction (new perspective). Do not stop the hamburger, chocolate, donut, anything. (I used) to think that it should stop but everyone can change their mind or heart, on what can improve their performance.”
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