DASMARIÑAS — Lindsey Vander Weide authored a PVL run no other import has matched to this day.
The 27-year-old Petro Gazz winger remains the first and only PVL import to win a championship, Finals MVP and best foreign guest player in one conference.
She was able to win all those accolades in just her first Philippine stint at the time in the 2022 Reinforced Conference.
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But even upon reuniting with her former Oregon teammate and two-time PVL MVP Brooke Van Sickle, Vander Weide already sees an even harder path to a second title.
Why? Because unlike her 2022 stint, the PVL is much ‘faster’ in her eyes now and the Galeries Tower Highrisers gave her a glimpse of that in the Angels’ 25-21, 25-19, 25-14 conference-opening win on Thursday.
“Against this team, it's definitely a faster style. Maybe not every team is like that but I feel like this team was pushing the tempo to all their players. They were beating me on the block a couple times because I wasn't pressed over already,” Vander Weide told SPIN.ph.
“Definitely, they're still doing all the tricky plays. I remember they did that back then but I'm sure other teams are going to be pushing the tempo even faster.
“I heard Creamline runs a fast game now so it's definitely a different level for sure," she added, referring to their next opponent and longtime rival on Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
After a three-year overseas hiatus to bring her talents to Puerto Rico and back home in the United States, it felt right for Vander Weide to resume her international foray back where she left off.
“I haven't been overseas since 2022 or maybe beginning of 2023. I've been in the States since then playing in the leagues there,” she said.
“It's been nice to be home but I kind of miss something about being overseas and I think the Philippines is the perfect place to come back to play overseas.
“I feel very at home here. It was very comfortable from Day One coming here so I was really excited that I had the opportunity.”
‘I want to do it again’
Three years ago, winning the championship with Petro Gazz came a surprise. Three years later, Vander Weide sees a repeat title win as a statement.
Hard for sure, but it’s doable.
“I know it's going to be hard. First of all, there's 12 teams this time instead of eight. That means there’s 12 imports that I have to battle against.
“And I know the teams now are just at a higher level. I can tell already by just watching the past few games that the volleyball is just better.
“I hate to say it, but I want to do it again. I'm hoping we can pull it off and I have faith that it’s all gonna work out.”
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