Tolentino blossoms into ace Angels can depend on
Petro Gazz rookie setter Jules Tolentino admitted struggling to find her rhythm and connecting with the other Angels early in her PVL pro career.
That’s why having 27 excellent sets in leading the Angels past Capital1, 25-27, 25-13, 25-10, 25-13 at Ynares Center, Montalban, on Saturday for the last quarterfinal berth in the Reinforced Conference made it look like she has gotten through her early woes and is ready to lead Petro Gazz deep in the playoffs.
“I’d say it was pretty tricky at the start. Our team’s jelling wasn’t fully there yet,” said Tolentino in Filipino. “But now that we know we’re heading into the crucial [part of the tournament], everyone’s strengths really come out, and our will [to win] in training shows. We’re really happy we got to showcase that in this game.”
Petro Gazz ended a two-game skid for a three-way tie at 4-3 with Akari and Cignal. Capital1 dropped to 3-4 but still secured a quarterfinal spot as the last squad in the eight-team field that includes PLDT, ZUS Coffee and Farm Fresh, who are all tied at 6-1, and defending champion Creamline (5-2).
Confidence has long been a challenge for the 11th overall pick of Petro Gazz, but the support from her veteran teammates has helped her take steps forward.
“Probably because my veteran teammates are always there to guide me,” Tolentino added. “And my confidence, it’s been something I’ve really struggled with before.
“So now, with the moment I’m given, I don’t want to let it go,” she said. “I want to hold on to what the coaches and teammates are giving me. I don’t want to lose their trust. That’s why for this game, I really set my mind to give my absolute all for this team.”
New Petro Gazz coach Gary Van Sickle is pleased with the progress of Tolentino as playmaker for a talented roster led by Brooke Van Sickle and Lindsey Vander Weide, as well as MJ Phillips, Ranya Musa, Myla Pablo, Jonah Sabete and Aiza Maizo.
“I know she’s young, but she’s got a lot of ability. She’s very athletic, she works hard at practice,” Van Sickle said. “We just told her to stay confident, keep working. It’s been a work in progress, but she’s doing well right now.”
And for the former La Salle stalwart, feedbacks from her teammates matter a lot.
“As a setter, I have to adjust to every spiker because they’re all different,” Tolentino said. “I’m really happy they’re vocal about what they want, and I’m glad I’m gradually working on that and building my connection with them.
“Hopefully, in our crucial games, we’ll really be able to show what we’ve been training for,” she said as Petro Gazz wraps up its elimination round on Thursday against PLDT at the Mall of Asia Arena, to determine its seeding for the crossover quarterfinals.
