The Angels sealed a much-coveted semifinals berth.
In the heat of the match between the Petro Gazz Angels and the Chery Tiggo Crossovers, Remy Palma was seen cheerfully dancing to the delight of the fans at the San Agustin Gymnasium in Iloilo City.
Make no mistake about it, she’s still focused on the crucial game for the Angels.
“Wala ka namang ibang gustong gawin kundi, reminder nga ni coach [Oliver Almadro], to have a cheerful heart. If you have a cheerful heart, you can play at your best,” she said.
Indeed, the Angels played at their best as they blanked the Crossovers, 25-21, 28-26, 25-21 to seal a semifinal berth in the PVL All-Filipino Conference.
According to Palma, the crowd’s warm reception played a huge role in their much-needed victory.
“Sobrang laking tulong ng crowd kasi unang-una pumunta sila dito para makapanood ng magandang laro. So kahit mainit, humanap ka ng way para ma-enjoy pa rin yung laro. Kahit may nagka-cramps na,” she said.
“Pero nire-remind pa rin na, hindi naman masama mag-enjoy, pero you need to still focus on the game.”
It was Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, though, who was at the center of it all.
Calm, composed, and deadly, the hometown heroine didn’t disappoint her fans, delivering 13 points including the down-the-line hit that put the team at match point, 24-20.
Despite the overwhelming support from her fellow Ilonggos, the former UST star managed to stay focused.
“Mindset lang namin is maglaro nang maayos every game. One point at a time. One game at a time. One day at a time,” said the soft-spoken spiker, who grew up in Passi City, Iloilo.