Petro Gazz coach Kaji Tsuzurabara AVC Champions League where the Angels served as one of the PVL representatives.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Coach Koji Tsuzurabara has parted ways with Petro Gazz months after steering the franchise to its first-ever PVL All-Filipino Conference title.
The PVL champion Japanese coach has been posting farewell messages with his Petro Gazz colleagues on his Facebook in the past few days.
READ: Petro Gazz Angels topple an empire and change PVL landscape
“When I won the 2025 PVL All Filipino, I received so many congratulatory messages. And now that I’m leaving the team, I’m getting even more emails asking ‘why?’” Tsuzurabara posted a picture with Petro Gazz program head Oliver Almadro on Sunday.
“In the midst of all this, I had a chat with my friend, Coach O. I’ve been friends with him since 2018. It was Coach O who recommended me to this year’s PGA. He was very kind to me and was a great understanding friend of mine. I’m so grateful.”
“I met Mr. E again at the training gym. We took a commemorative photo after explaining the circumstances that led to me leaving the team. Then, I got a call from a staff member, so I dashed off to the nearest Starbucks,” wrote the Petro Gazz coach in a separate post. “So many people are concerned about me. I’m grateful.”
READ: PVL: Petro Gazz dethrones Creamline to clinch first All-Filipino crown
Tsuzurabara confirmed his departure to Inquirer, but he politely said he would answer questions once the team makes the official announcement.
“I think everyone is surprised that I’m leaving the PGA so suddenly,” the outgoing Petro Gazz coach told Inquirer.
The Angels have yet to issue a statement regarding Tsuzurabara’s departure as of posting time.
The 60-year-old coach took the reins of Petro Gazz as coach in 2024. He helped the team win the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) Champions League and steered the team to a bronze medal in the 2024 All-Filipino Conference.
After the Angels missed the semifinal in the Reinforced Conference, Tsuzurabara led the squad, powered by Brooke Van Sickle, Myla Pablo, and MJ Phillips, to a breakthrough All-Filipino title after beating Creamline in a winner-take-all Finals Game 3.
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In the PVL on tour, Petro Gazz lost three of its four matches in Pool A as it continues to miss Alas Pilipinas players Van Sickle and Phillips.
