MJ Phillips has returned to the Philippines following her maiden overseas stint in Korea — one that didn’t turn out as planned with only five wins in 37 matches with Korean V-League cellar-dwellers Gwangju AI Peppers.
Her homecoming with Petro Gazz has been much-awaited since the two-time Premier Volleyball League (PVL) champion side announced her forthcoming comeback shortly before the ongoing All-Filipino Conference began back in February.
On Tuesday morning, Phillips made it back in Manila just before the Angels’ all-important match against fellow semis-seeking side Cignal.
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While the ace defender was quick to rule out her league debut on the same day as her return to the country, she did share plans on making a late debut — particularly if Petro Gazz makes it to the single-round robin semifinal round.
“I just landed today at 5 a.m. so definitely not today (versus Cignal). But we have to talk with management and see where we’re at, whether I can play the next game or probably in the semis, if we can make it to the semis, hopefully.
“If they need me, (I will play). I mean, as long as this team wins, and I trust that they can do it with or without me, it doesn’t matter. They’re a strong enough team so I have faith in them,” Phillips said.
“So far, so good (Petro Gazz’ performance this conference). I’m very impressed with everyone. They look healthy and they’re enjoying. Their adjustment with the Japanese coach (Koji Tsuzurabara) seems really good right now,” she added.
Nostalgia hits
Throughout her one-year stint in Korea, Phillips never lost touch with her Angels teammates as she kept close contact with her longtime Petro Gazz setter Djanel Cheng.
“I’ve been watching Petro Gazz even in Korea. And I always message (Djanel) Cheng after the games just to chat about how it all went down, always supporting.
“It feels nostalgic to be back here. I mean, I went to the locker room and I just hugged everyone, and we were all jumping up. Just so happy. I like being back here again,” Phillips said.
Phillips will soon set foot in the PVL again, but she also won’t be closing the door on a second shot in Korea just yet upon re-applying for the 2024 Korean V-League Women’s Asian Quota Draft later this month.
She stressed how a difficult overseas debut only fueled her to shoot a second shot alongside first-time draft applicants and former PVL MVPs Tots Carlos and Mylene Paat.
“My stint in Korea was all right. I mean, as everyone knows and follows, my team finished last but it was a great experience overall. I got to play at a competitive level, a very high level. I got to learn a lot, so it was good.
“I just want to prove that I can still hang with them. Obviously, my stint there, our team didn’t do the greatest but I definitely still want to just keep improving my game every single time,” Phillips said.
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