Petro Gazz’s Ranya Musa, left, in the PVL All-Filipino Conference.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Petro Gazz unleashed another weapon to its arsenal with Ranya Musa slowly regaining her form.
Musa played her best game so far since coming back from an ACL injury, dropping five points highlighted by a game-high two blocks to help the Angels score their seventh straight win at the expense of the struggling Capital1 Solar Spikers on Tuesday.
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The 27-year-old middle blocker believes she’s far from her top shape and she’s grateful for the opportunity given to her by coach Koji Tsuzurabara.
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“Medyo malayo pa ako. Hindi ko naman makukuha agad yun. Day-by-day pero yung bigay na tiwala sa akin ng team, ipoprove ko lang na kaya ko ‘to,” said Musa after Petro Gazz’s dominant 25-19, 25-18, 25-9 win at PhilSports Arena. “I know naman na kakabalik. Pero consistency yung kailangan and pagtulong sa teammates.”
Musa is one of the team’s seven middle blockers including captain Remy Palma, MJ Phillips, Joy Dacoron, KC Galdones, Ethan Arce, and Marian Buitre.
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The Angels’ middle blockers are fighting for minutes on the floor, which Tsuzurabara sees as a healthy competition that brings out the best in his players.
“In my team we have seven middle blockers. Too many, seven [all over] for one play, and one injured (Marian Buitre). So Ranya to KC [they work] too much every day, and they are aggressive. I made a competition to the team so the team can improve,” he said. “I expect my team to be great.”
READ: PVL: Petro Gazz rolls past Capital1 for 7th consecutive win
Palma and Phillips had seven and six points, respectively, to keep their team at No.2 with an 8-1 record. Galdones also made her presence felt with two points coming off the bench.
“Madaming middles so ang mindset ko di ako basta basta magpapatalo. Friendly competition nga. Para sa akin mas bata ako sa kanila, mas kaya ko,” said Galdones. “Malaking bagay yung binibigay ni coach sa amin na tiwala kasi sa training sobra sobra kami. Every training talaga is nilalaban namin yung chance namin na makapagplay parang ang laking ano sa amin na napili kaming ipasok and ilaro.”
Palma said their intensity in practice has been keeping them on top of their game. That’s why they are one of the two hottest teams in the league with unbeaten Creamline.
“Sobrang nakaka-proud na lahat kami, may nako-contribute every game. And also part din ng strategy ng coaches ‘yon na mabigyan talaga lahat ng chance makapaglaro,” the team captain said.