Petro Gazz can clinch a most improbable championship on Tuesday.
The Petro Gazz Angels might have stunned the Creamline Cool Smashers in Game 1 of the PVL All-Filipino Conference, but that did not stop coach Oliver Almadro from giving the latter the ultimate compliment in the post-game presser.
After highlighting the importance of preparation, following the game plan, and showing character, the affable Almadro then spoke highly of the Cool Smashers by comparing them to a Biblical monolith.
“They are a strong team, I’m telling you. They are the Goliaths of this tournament,” Almadro pointed out.
And he actually has a point. In fact, he might be right.
Creamline has a lineup full of stars—from Tots Carlos to Jema Galanza to Michele Gumabao. And, prior to losing Game 1, the Cool Smashers had lost only once this entire tournament—a five-set heartbreak to the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers. Other than that, they have handled their businesses, and sometimes in convincing no doubters.
Naturally, if Creamline is Goliath, then Coach O wants Petro Gazz to be David, the little man who slayed the giant.
“Kami naman, we just ask the Lord, ‘Can we be the David of this tournament?’ 'Yun lang naman ang hinahanap namin,” Almadro said. [Sana] mapagbigyan kami, [we will show] strong character, right attitude, and teamwork.”
For Game 1 of the finals at least, the Angels were a bunch of Davids, coming after their Goliath counterparts in waves—hit after hit, spike after spike, block after block, dig after dig.
Almadro is happy with the win, for sure. But he also knows Goliath is not dead just yet. Wounded, yes. But dead? Hardly. These are the Cool Smashers, the defending champions, after all.
“Mag-prepare kami mabuti kasi hindi talaga tapos dito. It’s not yet done,” Almadro emphasized. “We will really work hard and sacrifice for it.”
Almadro's Angels will get the chance to slay Goliath once and for all on Tuesday. But that giant won't be going down without a fight.