Coach O knows what the Angels must work on to be champs once more.
The Petro Gazz Angels fell short of the ultimate prize on Thursday, falling to the Creamline Smashers in an epic finals that went the distance. But they certainly did not look out of their element against the winningest franchise in PVL history.
In fact, Petro Gazz coach Oliver Almadro thinks his Angels are in that Creamline class in terms of skills and talent—so much that he all but promised a another championship.
“We will be champions. Not now, but we will be champions,” Almadro told the press at the conclusion of the All-Filipino Conference at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Coach O, though, is under no impression that it will be easy. He knows it will take a lot of work, and he has already identified what his Angels will have to work on specifically moving forward.
“We have to work harder, especially in physicality,” Almadro pointed out. “Iba na ang level ngayon ng volleyball sa Pilipinas. It’s really physical talaga. 'Yung skills nandun, pero ‘yung patibayan talaga ng katawan, 'yun ang need.”
Almadro has a point. In Game 3, Petro Gazz seemed, pardon the pun, gassed by the fourth set, while Creamline looked fresh and spry and ready to go at it as long as it takes to win the title. Not that the Angels quit. They did not. But it appeared they simply had to answers to the avalanche brought by the Cool Smashers.
So, the Angels will be back in the lab this coming offseason, and they will work on a lot of things.
“Dagdag pa roon ‘yung character. So, ayun din we will try,” coach O promised. “On the skills naman, we will try harder na masolusyonan ‘yung mga aspects na kinulangan kami this time. Hopefully, after a few days’ rest ma-address namin ‘yung kulang namin.”
The Angels will lick their wounds, and they will look to bounce back and be better next conference for sure.
(With reports from Mei-Lin Lozada, One Sports Digital)