Petro Gazz rookie Jules Tolentino is embracing the learning curve in her debut PVL season, drawing confidence and inspiration from veteran setters Chie Saet and Djanel Cheng.
Rookie setter Jules Tolentino is soaking in every moment with the Petro Gazz Angels as they kicked off their PVL on Tour campaign in Batangas City.
Selected 11th overall in the 2025 PVL Rookie Draft, Tolentino is already making the most of her opportunity with the veteran-laden Angels in the ongoing preseason tilt.
While adjusting to the team’s system, the young setter from DLSU is soaking up lessons from her role models and veteran setters Chie Saet and Djanel Cheng.
“Sobrang kinikilig talaga ako kasi nga, coming from her also and ate Dejanel Cheng, grabe talaga sila,” Tolentino told reporters. “Sobrang patient nila, and they're telling me na just go with the flow lang.”
“I don't have to think so much, just go and train, so I'm really happy na may ganun akong support system sa tabi ko.”
Petro Gazz had a rocky start to the PVL on Tour with a five-set loss to the Nxled Chameleons but quickly bounced back with a dominant sweep of the Galeries Tower Highrisers.
During their time in Batangas, Tolentino had plenty of opportunities to play and gain experience matching up against veteran setters in the league.
“I would say very happy, but not yet satisfied. I feel like mas madami pa akong mabubuga for this team and ayun just taking it one game at a time since bagong environment,” she admitted.
“Puro veterans na 'yung mga nakakasama namin dito, so iba talaga 'yung nagiging diskarte nila. So, I'm really happy na I get to learn with a lot of veterans in our team,” she added.
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As the Angels move forward with their preseason campaign, Tolentino is embracing the slow and steady gelling process with her new teammates
“It's going smooth naman kasi all of my ates are very supportive and patient. 'Yung gelling namin, it will come naturally. We're not really rushing it,” she said. “Kumbaga parang gusto lang namin suportahan 'yung isa't isa sa journey na ito. So, I'm really happy na very open kami lahat and very patient kami.”
With the Batangas leg wrapped up, Tolentino and the rest of the Angels will head to Ilagan City come July 12-13, where they will face the PLDT High Speed Hitters and Farm Fresh Foxies.
(With reports from Aivan Episcope)