Jonah Sabete has always been a player who rises to the occasion when called upon, and she proved this yet again in a pivotal moment for Petro Gazz in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
The 5-foot-7 open spiker from Bulacan State University was thrust into an unfamiliar position, replacing Aiza Pontillas as the team’s opposite spiker in the first set against PLDT.
Although the Angels found themselves in a difficult spot after losing the opening frame 12-25, Sabete’s poise and adaptability would prove key in the team’s stunning comeback. With confidence and composure, Sabete adjusted quickly to her new role, and Petro Gazz surged back to win the next three sets 25-14, 25-22, 25-20, securing a hard-fought victory.
"Actually sa training, open spiker eh. Lagi naman sinasabi nila na ready always kasi hindi nila alam kung ano yung position na ilalagay. Kahit dati pa naman, ganon pa rin – kung saan man ilagay, magpe-perform pa rin ako," Sabete shared, revealing her mindset when faced with the unexpected challenge of playing as an opposite.
Despite stepping into an unfamiliar role, Sabete delivered an impressive performance, registering 17 points. Her remarkable ability to adapt on the fly showcased her professionalism and readiness, as she made a significant impact in a match that would help the Angels turn their fortunes around.
This performance also marked a much-needed confidence boost for Sabete, who had seen limited playing time in the previous three matches, including sitting out the Angels’ game against Farm Fresh in Candon, Ilocos Sur.
“Naisip ko lang na papaluin ko lang ‘to babasahin ko lang ‘yung blockers. Buti naman kahit papano naging okay yung performance,” she said, acknowledging that her focus was simply on executing the basics and reading the defense.
Sabete also credited the coaching staff for instilling belief in her. “Ano na lang tiwala na lang sa sarili saka ang laki rin ng impact ng coaching staff na ‘you can do it, we know you. Kailangan ka namin, ganito ka palaban ka’ so na-boost yung confidence ko,” she said, emphasizing how much of an impact their encouragement had on her performance.
With the win, the Petro Gazz Angels now sit in solo third place with a 4-1 record, riding a three-game winning streak. The team will look to continue their momentum when they face the undefeated 4-0 Cignal HD Spikers on Saturday before heading into a one-month holiday break.
