MANILA, Philippines — Bang Pineda hardly missed a beat three years after she last played for the Petro Gazz Angels in the PVL.

Pineda, who recently returned after coach Koji Tsuzurabara’s departure, shone in her first game back with 13 digs and 12 excellent receptions to help the Angels end their two-game skid against the Choco Mucho Flying Titans, 20-25, 25-19, 26-24, 25-17, in the PVL on Tour on Tuesday night at Candon City Arena in Ilocos Sur.

READ: PVL: With new coach, Petro Gazz fights off Choco Mucho

Brian Esquibel, who was promoted to call the shots for Petro Gazz on an interim basis, tipped his hat off to Pineda after helping them finish fourth in Pool A with a 2-3 record.

“Bang really helped us a lot on defense. She still has that strong connection and chemistry with her former teammates here, so when her spot opened up, we didn’t even think twice about bringing her in,” said Esquibel in Filipino.

Pineda was signed, as BLove Barbon underwent an ACL injury after going down during the Batangas stop of the On Tour.

READ: PVL: Myla Pablo, Petro Gazz remain focused amid coach’s sudden exit 

Esquibel believes the team needed the service of Pineda, who spent the last three years with Akari and Nxled after she helped Petro Gazz win the 2022 Reinforced Conference.

“We just really focused on our floor defense. That’s what was missing during our three-game losing streak. We had the offense, but our defense was really lacking. So we concentrated on improving our blocking, floor defense, even our service,” he said. 

Petro Gazz battles Akari for a quarterfinal spot in a knockout game on August 5.